How many dimensions are involved in these sports motions?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Inquiring_Mike
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Dimensions Physics
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around understanding the dimensionality of various sports motions, specifically how many dimensions are involved in the movements of a motocross racer, a curler, a hockey player, a golfer, and a train. The subject area pertains to physics concepts related to motion and dimensions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the dimensionality of different sports motions, questioning whether the motions occur in one, two, or three dimensions based on their characteristics. They discuss the implications of straight lines versus curved paths and the relevance of the surface on which the motion occurs.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problem, raising questions about the dimensionality of each scenario. Some guidance has been offered regarding the definitions of dimensions, and there is an acknowledgment of the complexity introduced by factors like curvature and surface. However, there is no explicit consensus on the answers to the questions posed.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of the dimension of time and other theoretical dimensions, which may not align with the primary focus of the homework questions. The context of the forum being aimed at K-12 students suggests a need for clarity in the dimensionality discussions.

Inquiring_Mike
Messages
50
Reaction score
0
I've been having trouble with these questions, I would greatly appreciate it if anyone could help to explain them to me.
Question:
Explain how many dimensions the following motion is taking place in.
- a motocross racer rides around a hilly track
- a curler shoots a rock down the ice, around a guard, and onto a button
- a hockey player passes the puck along the ice
- a golfer hits a slice into the woods
- a train travels along a straight section of a track
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Anything that occurs on a single straight line is
1 dimensional, anything that occurs in a plane, but not a single straight line is 2 dimensional, any thing that occurs in a volume (not a single plane) is 3 dimensional.

Does the motorcylist ride in a straight line? Does he stay in a plane (on a flat surface)? What dimension are we talking about then?

A curler does not shoot the stone in a straight line (the problem said it goes around a guard) but does stay on the ice. What dimension is that?

A hockey player passes the puck along the ice. That sounds like a single plane. Does the puck curve or change direction?

Do you know what a slice is? That should give you the answer.

A train moving along a STRAIGHT section of track. Well, that was a give-away!
 
Don't forget the dimension of time (and brane dimensions as well!)
 
Originally posted by Loren Booda
Don't forget the dimension of time (and brane dimensions as well!)

This is the "Grade K-12 Forum", professor!
 
He could get extra credit... :wink:

(Or lose a mark because the teacher doesn't understand...:frown:)
 
Thanks everyone for the help!
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
6K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
7K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
10K