Carousel physics. Calculating constant speed and distance.

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a child riding a carousel, focusing on concepts of circular motion, vector displacement, average speed, and average acceleration. The carousel has a circumference of 8 m, and the child moves at a constant speed of 1 m/s.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss vector subtraction to determine displacement at different times and how to calculate average speed and acceleration based on these displacements. Questions arise about the meaning of Δx and Δy, as well as the definitions of average speed and average acceleration.

Discussion Status

Some participants have made progress on parts a and b of the problem but express confusion regarding part c, particularly in defining average acceleration and determining the change in velocity. Hints have been provided to guide the exploration of these concepts without offering direct solutions.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working within the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information they can use or the methods they can apply. There is an emphasis on understanding vector components and their application in circular motion.

MissJewels
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Homework Statement


A child a rides a carousel at t = 0 and moves in a circle that is 8 m in circumference at a speed of constant modulus of 1m / s. determine:
a) the movement of t = 0s to t = 1s
b) the average speed from t = 0s to t = 3s
c) the average acceleration between 1s and 3s


Homework Equations


I've got these that i figure work:
v= vxi + vyj
and
movement = Δxi + Δyj



The Attempt at a Solution


Given that the correct answers(provided by my textbook) should be
a) (0,900i -0,372j)m
b) (0,300i - 0,724j)m/s
c) (-0,707i) m/s2

I don't seem to know how to apply the equations above to land these answers... Vectors confuse me. For instance, Δx and Δy represent what ? I'm stuck. HELP!
 
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a) is a vector subtraction problem. Draw the displacement from the centre at t=0 and the displacement at t=1 sec. What is the difference? (ie the displacement at t=0 minus the displacement at t=1)?

b) Use the method in a) to find the change in displacement from t=0 to t=3 sec. How would you define the average speed in terms of this displacement and the time difference?

c) What is the change in velocity between t=1 sec. and t=3 sec? (Hint: Draw the velocity vectors at each point and subtract the velocity at t=3 from that at t=1). How would you define the average acceleration in terms of this change in velocity and the time difference?

AM
 
So I've got the a and the b down but as for c, i don't know what you mean
 
MissJewels said:
So I've got the a and the b down but as for c, i don't know what you mean
How do you define the average acceleration?

Hint: It involves a change in the velocity (a vector). How would you determine the change in velocity between t=1 and t=3?

AM
 
Andrew Mason said:
How do you define the average acceleration?

Hint: It involves a change in the velocity (a vector). How would you determine the change in velocity between t=1 and t=3?

AM

Oh wow. I put down the wrong number over and over again. But I got it. ITs -0,707i.
 

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