Calculating Average Velocity for a Car with Changing Acceleration and Direction

In summary, the problem involves a car accelerating at 5.0m/s2 for 10.0s and then continuing this acceleration in the northeast direction for another 10.0s. The question asks for the average velocity of the car after 20.0s. The solution involves finding the displacement of the car in both the west and northeast directions, using Pythagorean theorem to find the total displacement, and then dividing by the total time to find the average velocity.
  • #1
jelly1500
10
0
[SOLVED] acceleration and velocity

1. Homework Statement
EXACT PROBLEM:
A car accelerates from rest W at 5.0m/s2 for 10.0s, then continues this acceleration NE for another 10.0s. What is the average velocity of the car for its journey to its position after 20.0s? 2. Homework Equations
average velocity=average displacement/time
Delta x=Vit + 1/2at^2
Vf=Vi+at

3. The Attempt at a Solution
First, I found Delta x and Vf for the west vector than found Delta x for the NE vector. Then I tried to find the displacement using Pythagoreans theorem but it was not the correct answer.
 
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  • #2
jelly1500 said:
A car accelerates from rest W at 5.0m/s2 for 10.0s,
Where's the car after 10 s?
then continues this acceleration NE for another 10.0s.
Now where is it? What's the total distance displacement from the origin?
 
  • #3
after the first 10 sec., its 250 meters away, then after the second 10 sec., its 750 meters
 
  • #4
What's the exact location?
 
  • #5
oh, I get it! I'm supposed to break in down into it's x and y components. Thank you so much!
 

1. What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with respect to time, while velocity is the rate of change of displacement with respect to time. In simpler terms, acceleration is the change in velocity over time, while velocity is the change in position over time.

2. How are acceleration and velocity related?

Acceleration and velocity are related in that acceleration is the derivative of velocity with respect to time. In other words, acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. This means that if acceleration is constant, then velocity will change uniformly over time.

3. What is the formula for calculating acceleration?

The formula for acceleration is a = (vf - vi) / t, where a is acceleration, vf is final velocity, vi is initial velocity, and t is time. This formula is derived from the definition of acceleration as the rate of change of velocity over time.

4. Can an object have a constant velocity and still experience acceleration?

Yes, an object can have a constant velocity and still experience acceleration. This is because acceleration is not just a change in speed, but also a change in direction. So, even if an object is moving at a constant speed, if it changes direction, it is experiencing acceleration.

5. How does acceleration affect the motion of an object?

Acceleration can affect the motion of an object in several ways. If acceleration is in the same direction as the velocity, it will cause the object to speed up. If acceleration is in the opposite direction as the velocity, it will cause the object to slow down. And if acceleration is perpendicular to the velocity, it will cause the object to change direction.

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