Displacement Vector of Minute Hand on Watch: 8:00 to 8:20 & 8:00 to 9:00

[cedwar71]

The minute hand on a watch is 2.0 cm in length. What is the displacement vector of the tip of the minute hand

From 8:00 to 8:20 a.m.?



From 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.?

 

[alphysicist]

Hi cedwar71,

The minute hand on a watch is 2.0 cm in length. What is the displacement vector of the tip of the minute hand

From 8:00 to 8:20 a.m.?



From 8:00 to 9:00 a.m.?

What you have tried so far?

 

[baba89]

The displacement vector of the tip of the minute hand from 8:00 to 8:20 a.m. can be calculated by considering the circular motion of the hand. The minute hand completes one full revolution in 60 minutes, which means it completes 1/3rd of a revolution in 20 minutes. This would result in a displacement vector of 2/3rd of the length of the minute hand, which is approximately 1.33 cm.

Similarly, from 8:00 to 9:00 a.m., the minute hand completes 12 full revolutions, resulting in a displacement vector of 24 cm (12 x 2 cm). This displacement vector represents the total distance traveled by the tip of the minute hand from its starting position at 8:00 a.m. to its final position at 9:00 a.m.

It is important to note that this displacement vector represents the magnitude and direction of the displacement, but not the actual path taken by the minute hand. The minute hand may move in a circular motion, but its displacement vector shows a straight line from its starting position to its ending position.

In conclusion, the displacement vector of the minute hand on a watch is dependent on the time interval being considered and can be calculated by considering the circular motion of the hand.