CAT

Radian Measure and Applications

Section 6.6 (Day 3)

Learning Goals: I can convert between degrees and radians.

I can calculate the length of an arc along a circle.
LINEAR SPEED
A point, p, moves along the circumference of a circle at a constant speed, then the linear speed, v, is
given by:

s
v
t
s : arc length & t: time
Example:
1. A car travels at a constant speed around a circular track with circumference equal to 3 miles. If the car
records a time of 12 minutes for 7 laps, what is the linear speed of the car in miles per hour?

ANGULAR SPEED
A point, p, moves along the circumference of a circle at a constant speed, then the central angle, , that
is formed with the terminal side passing through point, p also changes over some time, t, at a constant
speed. The ANGULAR SPEED, (omega), is given by:

: angle (given in radians) & t: time

convert units if need be!!

Example:
2. A lighthouse in the middle of a channel rotates its light in a circular motion with constant speed. If
the beacon of light completes 1 rotation every 40 seconds, what is the angular speed of the beacon in
radians per minute?

CAT

Radian Measure and Applications

Section 6.6 (Day 3)

Relationship between LINEAR SPEED and ANGULAR SPEED

A point, p, moves at a constant speed along the circumference of a circle with radius, r, then the LINEAR
SPEED, v, and the ANGULAR SPEED, are related by:

v r

OR

Note: This relationship is true only when is given in radians

Example:
3. A Ford F-150 truck comes standard with tires that have a diameter of 25.7 inches (17 rims). IF the
owner decides to upgrade to tires with a diameter of 28.2 inches (19 rims) without having the
onboard computer updated, how fast will the truck actually be traveling with the speedometer reads
65 mph?

Homework: p.581: #78-96 even, 99, 102, 119, 131

CAT

Radian Measure and Applications

Section 6.6 (Day 3)

Homework: p.581: #78-96 even, 99, 102, 119, 131

Find the linear speed of a point that moves with constant speed in a circular
motion if the point travels along the circle of arc length, s, in time, t.

78. s 12 ft , t 3min

80. s 7524mi, t 12days

Find the distance traveled (arc length) of a point that moves with
constant speed, v, along a circle in time, t.

82. v 6.2km / hr, t 4.5hr

84. v 5.6 ft / s, t 2min

Find the angular speed (radians/second) associated with rotating a

central angle, , in time, t.

3
1

,
t

sec
86.
4
6

88. 60 , t 0.2sec

Find the linear speed of a point traveling at a constant speed along the
circumference of a circle with radius, r, and angular speed, .

3 rad

, r 8cm
90.
4sec

5 rad

, r 24 ft
92.
16sec

Find the distances a point travels along a circle over a time, t, given the
angular speed, , and radians, r, of the circle. Round your answers to
three significant digits.

rad
r

2
mm
,

, t 11sec
94.
sec
rad
r

3.2
ft
,

, t 3min
96.
4 sec
99. Big Ben. The famous clock tower in London has a minute hand that
is 14 feet long. How far does the tip of the minute hand of Big Ben
travel in 25 minutes? Round to 2 decimal places.

CAT

Radian Measure and Applications

Section 6.6 (Day 3)

102. London Eye. The London Eye Ferris Wheel has 32 capsules and a
diameter of 400ft. Assuming every capsule is loaded and
unloaded, what is the distance you will have traveled from the
time you first get in the capsule to the point when the eye stops
for the 6th time (not including the stop for you)
119. Music. Some people still have their phonograph collections and
play the records on turntables. A phonograph record is a vinyl disc
that rotates on the turntable. If a 12-inch-diameter record rotates
a 33 1 revolutions per minute, what is the angular speed in radians
3

per minute?
131. The Price is Right. On the TV show The Price is Right, the 8ft
diameter wheel is divided into 20 sectors (corresponding to
increments of 5 cents). The 3 most important amounts on the
wheel are the 3 abutting sectors with amounts $0.15, $1.00, and
$0.05; the other amounts are randomly dispersed among the
remaining sectors. The beginning of a spin always starts at $1.00.
A zealous contestant spins the wheel so that it makes 4 complete
revolutions, landing on $1.00. What is the length of the arc
created by this spin?