Go Kart Motion: Velocity Time Diagram for Hill Coasting

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the physics of a go-kart coasting up a hill at a constant velocity before running out of gas. Initially, the velocity remains constant, represented as a flat line on a velocity-time graph. Once the engine cuts out, the only force acting on the kart is gravity, causing the velocity to decrease linearly until it reaches zero. This scenario illustrates fundamental concepts of motion and graph representation in physics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly motion and forces.
  • Familiarity with graphing velocity versus time.
  • Knowledge of the relationship between constant velocity and graph representation.
  • Basic understanding of gravitational effects on moving objects.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of Newton's laws of motion.
  • Learn how to create and interpret velocity-time graphs.
  • Explore the concept of free fall and its effects on motion.
  • Investigate the role of forces in changing the state of motion.
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Students in physics courses, educators teaching motion concepts, and anyone interested in understanding the graphical representation of physical phenomena.

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Homework Statement


A go kart with no brakes is driving up a short hill at a constant velocity. after a short time it runs out of gas. assuming that the cart can coast freely in both forward and reverse directions. use the space below to sketch a velocity time diagram of the motion of the kart until it returns to the bottom of the hill.




The Attempt at a Solution


wouldn't this just be a simple up and down triangle on a graph, it seemed to easy to me.
 
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davie08 said:

The Attempt at a Solution


wouldn't this just be a simple up and down triangle on a graph, it seemed to easy to me.

Not really.

davie08 said:
A go kart with no brakes is driving up a short hill at a constant velocity.

Do you know what this means? How would it look on a graph of velocity vs. time?
 
initially the velocity is constant. what would happen after that. take the help of a ball thrown vertically up
 
ashishsinghal said:
initially the velocity is constant. what would happen after that. take the help of a ball thrown vertically up

ok so it would just be a curve.
 
davie08 said:
ok so it would just be a curve.

Sorry, but no. You didn't answer my question. A constant velocity means a velocity that is NOT changing with time. How would this look on a graph of velocity vs time?

Once the engine cuts out, how does the velocity begin to change? (Hint: what is the only force acting from this point onwards?)
 
davie08 said:
ok so it would just be a curve.

no it would not be a curve
 
ok it would be a straight line in the beginning from somewhere above 0m/s and then would it go into a straight line down towards 0 after the brakes go out. sorry I'm having troubles being interested in this physics work because I'm only taking it to raise my high school average by .2% so I can major in finance.
 
davie08 said:
ok it would be a straight line in the beginning

If by "straight line" you mean one that is flat (horizontal), then yes. What I've been hinting at and trying to get you to realize since my first reply to you is that a constant velocity appears as a flat line on a graph of velocity vs. time. I hope that much is obvious.

davie08 said:
from somewhere above 0m/s

Yes, the level would correspond to whatever the initial constant velocity was.

davie08 said:
and then would it go into a straight line down towards 0 after the brakes go out.

Right (except that I think you mean after the engine goes out). Do you know what the slope of this line is? (Hint: what is the only force acting on the go-kart after the engine goes out)? Granted, you don't need this information for a sketch, but I just want to see if you understand what is happening.

davie08 said:
sorry I'm having troubles being interested in this physics work because I'm only taking it to raise my high school average by .2% so I can major in finance.

An apology to me is unnecessary (I don't really care how motivated you are). But I should point out that (1) this is an extremely basic physics problem that you should be able to do yourself by applying the concepts that you've been taught in class, and (2) if you want to major in finance, then understanding how to represent data and equations graphically will be an essential skill.

Even setting that aside, your comment doesn't make much sense as an excuse. If you want to raise your average by taking this course, then you are going to have to do really well in it, which would seem to me to be all the more reason to pay attention to the assignments (even if you don't find the subject matter inherently interesting).
 
Even setting that aside, your comment doesn't make much sense as an excuse. If you want to raise your average by taking this course, then you are going to have to do really well in it, which would seem to me to be all the more reason to pay attention to the assignments (even if you don't find the subject matter inherently interesting).[/QUOTE]

thanks well this course is simple its just that the simplest question somehow stumped me all I need is a 75%.
 
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there's no class either I just go and pick up the work then I go back to my job and a lot of the spare time is spent researching stocks.
 

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