A toy train is mounted on a large wheel that is free to turn with negligible fri

Question

A toy train is mounted on a large wheel that is free to turn with negligible friction about a vertical axis. A toy train of mass 1.5 kg is placed on the track and, with the system initially at rest; the electrical power is turned on. The train reaches a steady speed of 0.30 m/s with respect to the ground. What is the angular velocity of the wheel, if its mass is 2.5 kg and its radius is 0.60 m? (Treat the train as a point mass, the wheel as a thin ring, and radius of the tack equals the radius of the wheel.)

Explanation / Answer

For good measure, they threw in a relative velocity problem! I'll use subscripts 't' and 'w' for the Train and the track (wheel). Then the relative velocity equation is Vt = Vw + Vt/w where: Vt/w is the speed of the train relative to the track. Rearranging we get Vt - Vw = Vt/w (Eq 1)

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.