A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star that continuously emits a beam of radio waves in a searchlight manner. Each time the pulsar makes one revolution, the rotating beam sweeps across the earth, and the earth receives a pulse of radio waves. For one particular pulsar, the time between two successive pulses is 0.0371 s. Determine the average angular speed (in rad/s) of this pulsar.
To determine the average angular speed of the pulsar, we first need to understand the relationship between time and angular speed.
The angular speed (ω) is defined as the angle covered in a given time period (Δt). It is measured in radians per second (rad/s).
The formula for calculating angular speed is:
ω = Δθ / Δt
Where:
ω = angular speed (in rad/s)
Δθ = change in angle (in radians)
Δt = change in time (in seconds)
In this case, we know that the time between two successive pulses is 0.0371 seconds. This time represents the change in time (Δt).
To find the change in angle, we need to know the complete revolution made by the pulsar for one pulse. This complete revolution will be equal to 2π radians since a full revolution covers 360 degrees, which is equivalent to 2π radians.
Therefore, Δθ = 2π
Now we can calculate the average angular speed (ω):
ω = Δθ / Δt
= 2π / 0.0371
≈ 169.728 rad/s
Therefore, the average angular speed of this pulsar is approximately 169.728 rad/s.