A force perpendicular to velocity does not change speed?

[mackygood]

Homework Statement

There's a ball moving at a constant velocity V and I apply a force perpendicular to the direction of the velocity. Why is it that there's no change in speed?

If I add a perpendicular force, there would be a new vector thus resulting in a new velocity with a different direction and speed right?

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/8261/forceh.jpg \[/URL]

Thanks for any answers :D

 

[Doc Al]

In order to keep the speed unchanged and only change the direction of motion, the force must be kept perpendicular to the velocity as the velocity changes. Your picture shows an initial upward velocity and a sideways force. As soon as the velocity starts changing direction, so must the force. This is not illustrated in your diagram.

 

[mackygood]

thanks for your reply!

What if the force was instantaneous? Would it still not affect the speed?

 

[Doc Al]

What if the force was instantaneous? Would it still not affect the speed?

I'm not sure what you mean by "instantaneous". If you mean something like an impulsive force (a quick push to the side that lasts a short time), then that could certainly change the speed since it would not be continually adjusted to be perpendicular to the velocity.

 

[skeptic2]

I think you are confusing velocity and speed. A perpendicular force will not increase velocity but it will increase speed.

 

[Doc Al]

A perpendicular force will not increase velocity but it will increase speed.

A perpendicular force will not change the speed but will change the velocity.

 

[skeptic2]

If an object is traveling upwards at velocity v and at point p it is influenced by force f in the horizontal direction, its velocity [in the upwards direction] is unchanged but its speed has increased to √(v^2 + f^2).

 

[Hurkyl]

If an object is traveling upwards at velocity v and at point p it is influenced by force f in the horizontal direction, its velocity [in the upwards direction] is unchanged but its speed has increased to √(v^2 + f^2).

Among your many clues that this cannot possibly be correct is that you're adding two quantities with different units.

 

[skeptic2]

Among your many clues that this cannot possibly be correct is that you're adding two quantities with different units.

Yes, that was a pretty stupid mistake. I wasn't thinking about what I was writing. What were the others?