A pulsar is a rapidly rotating neutron star that emits a radio beam the way a lighthouse emits a light beam. We receive a radio pulse for each rotation of the star. The period T of rotation is found by measuring the time between pulses. The pulsar in the Crab nebula has a period of rotation of T = 0.033 s that is increasing at the rate of 1.26 x 10^-5 sec/year.
(a) What is the pulsar’s angular acceleration?
(b) If the angular acceleration is constant, how many years from now will the pulsar stop rotating?
(c) The pulsar originated in a supernova explosion seen in the year 1054. Assuming constant angular acceleration, find the initial T.