Classical physics: Motion question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a classical physics problem involving motion on a track with constant acceleration. The original poster is trying to determine the necessary length of the track for a specific time duration, given that the object starts from rest.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster considers using final velocity and acceleration to find the new distance required for the time to double. Some participants question the relevance of final velocity in the context of the problem, suggesting a focus on the relationship between distance, time, and acceleration instead.

Discussion Status

Participants are engaging in a back-and-forth exploration of the problem, with some providing guidance on simplifying the approach. There is a recognition that the original poster may be overthinking the problem, but no consensus has been reached on a specific method or solution.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a separate question regarding a car's initial velocity involving vector addition, which some participants note may not directly relate to the original motion problem.

d3nat
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I just want to know if I'm thinking about these the correct way.

Something is put on a track of length d where it slides down and at a certain point, the time is taken given t. Acceleration is constant.

How long do you need to make the track for the time to be 2t.

Initial velocity is zero because it starts from rest.

do I need to do something like a = final velocity / 2*time, find how much that increases my final velocity, then use it in (new final velocity) = d` (new distance) / t

and solve for d`?

Thanks
 
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Why do you care about the final velocity? It is not anywhere in the problem. You have d, t and some constant acceleration. Can you not relate these?
 
voko said:
Why do you care about the final velocity? It is not anywhere in the problem. You have d, t and some constant acceleration. Can you not relate these?

Hmmm, acceleration is distance over time squared. Could I just relate it that way? Seems too simple.
 
That's exactly what it is. Given this, solve the problem.
 
voko said:
That's exactly what it is. Given this, solve the problem.


Thanks so much for the advice! Guess I was just over thinking things.
 
Hey Guys sorry, but do you know if this is right?

Question: A car has a final velocity of 26 m/s [N 120 W] after accelerating at 2.5 m/s2 [W] for 4.0 s. Find the initial velocity of the car.

Answer: v1 = =aΔt + v2
v1 = -(2.5 X 4) + 26
v1 = -10 + 26
v1 = 16
 
Your velocities have different directions. You must use vector addition to solve the problem.
 
voko said:
Your velocities have different directions. You must use vector addition to solve the problem.
Can you show me?
 
@Anan275: your question only seems a little like the original one. How about putting new questions in their own threads?
 

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