Calculating the Acceleration of a Fishing Reel

In each part of this example, the strategy is the same as it was for solving problems in linear kinematics. In particular, known values are identified and a relationship is then sought that can be used to solve for the unknown.

Here $\alpha$ and $t$ are given and $\omega$ needs to be determined. The most straightforward equation to use is $\omega ={\omega }_0+\mathrm{\alpha t}$ because the unknown is already on one side and all other terms are known. That equation states that

We are also given that ${\omega }_0=0$ (it starts from rest), so that

Now that $\omega$ is known, the speed $v$ can most easily be found using the relationship

where the radius $r$ of the reel is given to be 4.50 cm; thus,

Note again that radians must always be used in any calculation relating linear and angular quantities. Also, because radians are dimensionless, we have $\text{m}\times \text{rad}=\text{m}$.

Here, we are asked to find the number of revolutions. Because $\text{1 rev}=\text{2π rad}$, we can find the number of revolutions by finding $\theta$ in radians. We are given $\alpha$ and $t$, and we know ${\omega }_{{}_0}$ is zero, so that $\theta$ can be obtained using $\theta ={\omega }_{0}t+\frac{1}{2}{\mathrm{\alpha t}}^2$.

Converting radians to revolutions gives

The number of meters of fishing line is $x$, which can be obtained through its relationship with $\theta$:

This example illustrates that relationships among rotational quantities are highly analogous to those among linear quantities. We also see in this example how linear and rotational quantities are connected. The answers to the questions are realistic. After unwinding for two seconds, the reel is found to spin at 220 rad/s, which is 2100 rpm. (No wonder reels sometimes make high-pitched sounds.) The amount of fishing line played out is 9.90 m, about right for when the big fish bites.