Direction of acceleration and velocity.

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the direction of velocity and acceleration of an automobile at the lowest point of a parabolic path. The participant correctly identifies the velocity vector as horizontal and aligned with the direction of motion. However, they mistakenly selected the acceleration direction as straight down, attributing it to gravity. The correct understanding is that at the lowest point, the acceleration is directed towards the center of the curvature of the path, which is upward, while the velocity remains horizontal.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, specifically kinematics.
  • Familiarity with vector analysis in motion.
  • Knowledge of gravitational effects on objects in motion.
  • Basic comprehension of parabolic motion in physics.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of circular motion and centripetal acceleration.
  • Learn about vector decomposition in physics problems.
  • Explore the effects of gravity on objects in different motion paths.
  • Review kinematic equations related to motion along curved surfaces.
USEFUL FOR

Students in introductory physics courses, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of motion along curved paths.

Agent M27
Messages
169
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


An automobile moves with constant speed down one hill and up another hill along a smoothly curved surface. In which direction will the velocity and acceleration of the car be when it is at its lowest point in its path?

The car is pictured at the lowest point of a parabola.


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution



Being that this is Gen Physics 1, we are neglecting acceleration in the horizantal direction of motion so I choose the option which had the velocity vector as horizantal and in the direction of motion and I choose the acceleration which was straight down, due to gravity. I missed this question and the answers won't be up until Saturday, but I just can't wait to figure out where I went wrong in my analysis. Thanks in advance.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Disregard, I read incorrectly...
 

Similar threads

Why would this be accelerating positively?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
Query related to Two-Dimensional Motion
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
Kinematics: Acceleration of a figure skater changing direction
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
Which statement is true? (Velocity and Acceleration of a Tennis Ball)
  • · Replies 68 ·
3
Replies
68
Views
5K
Relation between the velocity vector and the acceleration vector of an object
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
810
Why is the direction of kinetic/static friction up a ramp?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Is My Calculation of Centripetal Acceleration and Tangential Velocity Correct?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Relation between Friction, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
1K
Direction of acceleration of a projectile with drag force
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
A or B? Increase in Velocity Backwards & Acceleration Forward
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K