What is the average acceleration vector given a car's north and east velocities?

Click For Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the average acceleration vector of a car transitioning from a northward velocity to an eastward velocity. The initial assumption was that the average acceleration vector points northeast, but it was clarified that the correct answer is southeast. This confusion arises from misunderstanding how average acceleration is determined, which involves the change in velocity over time rather than simply adding the vectors. The participants emphasize the importance of reviewing the definition of average acceleration to grasp the concept fully. Understanding vector addition and the direction of resultant vectors is crucial in solving such problems.
lostpersson
Question: A car is moving north at 100km/h. An hour later it is moving east at 100km/h. Its average acceleration during this hour is:
a) A vector pointing northeast
b) A vector pointing southeast
c) A vector pointing southwest
d) A vector pointing east
e) Zero

Attempt: I confidently chose a) A vector pointing northeast, but apparently that is wrong. The correct answer is b) A vector pointing southeast. I don't understand why this is so, since when you add the two vectors tip to tail, the resultant vector is pointing northeast...
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Does the average acceleration involve the addition of the two velocity vectors or the subtraction of them? Might be a good idea to review the definition of average acceleration.
 
  • Like
Likes lostpersson
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

Similar threads

Replies
6
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
7K
Replies
14
Views
2K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
3K
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K