Question

If a cylindrical space station 275 m in diameter is to spin about its central axis, at how many revolutions per minute (rpm) must it turn so that the outermost points have an acceleration equal to g ?

Answer 1

The centripetal acceleration is responsible for the artificial gravity because the acceleration of an object moving in constant circular motion causing from net external force is called centripetal acceleration. It defines to the center or seeking the center.

Given the following:

Cylindrical space station diameter           = 275 meters; 137.5 meters for the radius

Standard gravity                                       = 9.80665 m/s²

 

Using the formula:

w² x r =g

w² = g / r

w² = 9.80665 m/s² / 137.5 m

w² = 9.80665 m/s² / 137.5 m

w² = 0.0713 s²

Then take the roots

w = 0.267 this is radians per second / 2 x (3.1416 which is the pi)

w = 0.0424 rps convert to rpm

w = 0.0424 r/s (1minute / 60 seconds)

w = 7.08 x 10⁻⁴ revolutions per minute