kolade said:Homework Statement
Is it possible for the instantaneous velocity of an object at some time, t1, to not be parallel to the average velocity over a short time interval, Δt=t2-t1? If it is not possible, explain why not. If it is possible, explain what this situation implies about the motion of the object.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
i would say it's possible when acceleration is zero but I'm not sure
yes but I'm not surekuruman said:Are you saying that it is possible for the instantaneous velocity to not be parallel to the average velocity when the acceleration is zero?
OK, let's make sure you're sure. Please answer the following questionskolade said:yes but I'm not sure
1) Δf/Δtkuruman said:OK, let's make sure you're sure. Please answer the following questions
1. What do you need to do to find the average velocity, i.e. what is an expression that will allow you to calculate it?
2. If an object has initial velocity v1 to the right at time t1 and its acceleration is zero, how will its velocity change at some later time t2?
3. Given (1) and (2) above, what is the average velocity of this object from time t1 to time t2?
velocity at t2 would still be the same if it does not changekuruman said:Two points for your answer in 1. (a) Velocity is a vector and so is average velocity. You don't show a vector equation; (b) What is the meaning of f in Δf/Δt?
Your answer in 2 is correct.
For 3 think again. If the velocity is v1 to the right at t1 and it doesn't change, what could it be at time t2?
Good. Now how do you think the instantaneous velocity compares with the average velocity when the acceleration is zero? If the two are the same, why are they? If they are different, in what way?kolade said:velocity at t2 would still be the same if it does not change
That's not the reason. When the acceleration is zero, the average velocity is the same as the instantaneous velocity because something other than the acceleration is not changing. What is that?kolade said:It's going to be the same because there is no change in acceleration
Velocity?kuruman said:That's not the reason. When the acceleration is zero, the average velocity is the same as the instantaneous velocity because something other than the acceleration is not changing. What is that?
Instantaneous velocity is the rate of change of an object's position at a specific moment in time. It is the velocity of an object at a single point, rather than an average over a period of time.
Average velocity is the total displacement of an object over a specific time interval, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a particular moment in time. Average velocity takes into account the entire motion of an object, while instantaneous velocity only looks at a specific point.
Instantaneous velocity is calculated by taking the derivative of an object's position function with respect to time. This involves finding the slope of the tangent line to the position graph at a specific point in time.
The unit of measurement for instantaneous velocity is typically meters per second (m/s). This is the same unit as average velocity, as both represent a rate of change in position over time.
Instantaneous velocity is important in physics because it allows us to understand the exact motion of an object at any given moment. It is used in many calculations, such as determining acceleration and predicting future positions of objects.