Dizziness. Our balance is maintained, at least in part, by the endolymph fluid in the inner ear. Spinning displaces this fluid, causing dizziness. Suppose a dancer (or skater) is spinning at a very fast 2.7 revolutions per second about a vertical axis through the center of his head. Although the distance varies from person to person, the inner ear is approximately 7.0 cm from the axis of spin.

1.) What is the radical acceleration (in m/s^2) of the endolymph fluid?

a = ?

2.) What is the radical acceleration (in g's) of the endolymph fluid?

a = ?

Question

Xavier Acosta

Physics

22 November, 07:38

Dizziness. Our balance is maintained, at least in part, by the endolymph fluid in the inner ear. Spinning displaces this fluid, causing dizziness. Suppose a dancer (or skater) is spinning at a very fast 2.7 revolutions per second about a vertical axis through the center of his head. Although the distance varies from person to person, the inner ear is approximately 7.0 cm from the axis of spin.

1.) What is the radical acceleration (in m/s^2) of the endolymph fluid?

a = ?

2.) What is the radical acceleration (in g's) of the endolymph fluid?

a = ?

+4

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Coby Woods · Answer 1

1. 20.15 m/s² 2. 2.06g

Explanation:

The radial acceleration a = rω² where ω = angular speed and r = radius.

The angular speed of the dancer = 2.7 revolutions per second = 2.7 * 2π rad/s = 16.965 rad/s. The radius, r = distance from vertical axis of spin = 7.0 cm = 0.07 m.

So, a = rω² = 0.07 * 16.965² m/s² = 20.146 m/s² ≅ 20.15 m/s²

2. The radial acceleration in g's.

a/g = 20.15/9.8 = 2.055 ≅ 2.06

So, a = 2.06g