Average Acceleration Question

[possum30540]

Homework Statement

A car traveling at a constant speed of 20 m/s that is initially traveling due northwest rounds a corner so that after 10 s, the car is traveling due northeast. What are the magnitude and direction of the car's average acceleration during this interval of time? Be sure to sketch a motion diagram for process as well.

Homework Equations

acceleration = change in velocity / change in time

The Attempt at a Solution

Since the car is traveling at a constant speed, I would assume that the acceleration is zero. However, this does not seem right by the content of the question. Could someone please help me get started?

 

[LowlyPion]

Homework Statement

A car traveling at a constant speed of 20 m/s that is initially traveling due northwest rounds a corner so that after 10 s, the car is traveling due northeast. What are the magnitude and direction of the car's average acceleration during this interval of time? Be sure to sketch a motion diagram for process as well.

Homework Equations

acceleration = change in velocity / change in time

The Attempt at a Solution

Since the car is traveling at a constant speed, I would assume that the acceleration is zero. However, this does not seem right by the content of the question. Could someone please help me get started?

Velocity and acceleration are Vectors.

So ... Change in Velocity / change in time =

 

[baba89]

You are correct in your initial assumption that the acceleration is zero. Since the car is traveling at a constant speed, there is no change in velocity (speed and direction) over time. This means that the average acceleration during this interval of time is zero.

To further explain this, let's look at the motion diagram for this situation. Initially, the car is traveling in a straight line due northwest at a constant speed of 20 m/s. This can be represented by a horizontal line on the motion diagram, indicating constant velocity. When the car rounds the corner, it changes direction to due northeast. This can be represented by a diagonal line on the motion diagram, also indicating constant velocity. Since there is no change in velocity over time, the acceleration is zero.

In summary, the magnitude of the car's average acceleration during this interval of time is zero and the direction is not applicable. This is because there is no change in velocity, and therefore no acceleration, during this interval of time.