Distance, velocity & Acceleration

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the relationship between distance, velocity, and acceleration, particularly in the context of a bird flying a distance of 50 meters in 3 seconds. It is clarified that using the formula v = s/t yields average velocity, which does not account for acceleration unless the specific function of motion is known. The participants emphasize that without details on how the bird's speed changes during the flight, acceleration cannot be determined accurately. The confusion arises from the use of constant acceleration equations despite the scenario involving average velocity. Ultimately, understanding the bird's actual speed variations is crucial for calculating acceleration.
otomanb
Messages
59
Reaction score
0
taking derivation of distance equation is easy as every body knows.
differentiating distance we get velocity and differentiating velocity we get acceleration
but if a bird fly from one tree to another of distance 50m in 3 sec. we can get it's velocity by
v=s/t but how can we get it's acceleration ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
hi otomanb! :smile:
otomanb said:
if a bird fly from one tree to another of distance 50m in 3 sec. we can get it's velocity by v=s/t but how can we get it's acceleration ?

if v = s/t, then the acceleration is zero :wink:
 
But how ?
:rolleyes:
 
In calculating that velocity as "distance divided by time", you are calculating the average velocity, a constant. Since the velocity does not change, there is no acceleration.
 
Only when the function x=f(t) is given, can we use differentiation
 
Try thinking this way: there are many ways that the bird could have flown the 50 meters in 3 seconds. It could have rapidly accelerated to say 17 m/sec and flown the whole way there at that speed, and then quickly slowed down at the end. Or it could have gradually accelerated through the first 25 meters and then gradually slowed during the final 25 meters. Or it could have done a crazy flight speeding up and slowing down repeatedly. So as the others have said, the 50/3 = 16.7 m/sec is just the average, and to find the acceleration you need to know the actual location at each point along the way. (That's azureth's function; f(t)).
 
Because v=s/t gives us the constant value and derivation of constant value gives us ZERO answer.
 
but if i use equation of motion
2as=vf^2-vi^2
it give me some answer like 2.78m/s^2 :confused:
 
otomanb said:
but if i use equation of motion
2as=vf^2-vi^2
it give me some answer like 2.78m/s^2 :confused:

vi = 0, but you don't know vf

you'll have to use another constant acceleration equation, s = vit + 1/2 at2 :wink:

btw, is this a rocket-powered bird?

what makes you think it flies with constant acceleration? :biggrin:
 
  • #10
not constant acceleration with constant "Velocity" and if velocity is constant acceleration is always ZERO
 
  • #11
i'm confused …

then why did you use a constant acceleration equation? :confused:
otomanb said:
but if i use equation of motion
2as=vf^2-vi^2
 
  • #12
2as=vf^2-vi^2
sorry don't know that it's constant acceleration equation
 
Back
Top