Circular motion – Bus wheel revolutions to maintain 66 km/h:\nThe diameter of the driving wheel of a bus is 140 cm. How many revolutions per minute must the wheel make to keep a speed of 66 km/h?

Difficulty: Medium

Correct Answer: 250

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
Linear speed at the tyre’s rim equals wheel circumference * revolutions per unit time. Converting units consistently yields rpm (revolutions per minute).


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Diameter = 140 cm ⇒ radius r = 70 cm.
  • Speed = 66 km/h.
  • π ≈ 22/7 for exact cancellation with 70.


Concept / Approach:
Distance per revolution = circumference = 2 * π * r. Convert vehicle speed into cm/min, then divide by circumference to get rpm.


Step-by-Step Solution:

Circumference = 2 * π * 70 = 140π cm = 140 * (22/7) = 440 cm.Speed 66 km/h = 66,000 m/h = 6,600,000 cm/h.Per minute: 6,600,000 / 60 = 110,000 cm/min.rpm = (110,000) / 440 = 250 rpm.


Verification / Alternative check:
Back-calc: 250 rev/min * 440 cm = 110,000 cm/min ⇒ 1,100 m/min ⇒ 66 km/h ✔️


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
150, 350, 550 do not match the exact circumference-speed ratio after unit conversion.


Common Pitfalls:
Unit mistakes (km/h to cm/min), using π = 3.14 with radius 70 cm but forgetting simplification with 22/7.


Final Answer:
250

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