Go Kart Motion: Velocity Time Diagram for Hill Coasting

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a go-kart coasting up a hill at a constant velocity until it runs out of gas. Participants are tasked with sketching a velocity-time diagram to represent the kart's motion until it returns to the bottom of the hill.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the implications of constant velocity on a velocity-time graph, with some suggesting it would appear as a flat line. Others question how the velocity changes after the engine cuts out, prompting discussions about the forces acting on the kart.

Discussion Status

The conversation includes various interpretations of the velocity-time graph, with some participants expressing confusion about the concepts. There are attempts to clarify the representation of constant velocity and the subsequent changes in motion after the engine stops, but no consensus has been reached on the final sketch.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express a lack of interest in the subject matter, indicating that their motivation is primarily to achieve a passing grade for other academic goals. There are references to the simplicity of the course material and the challenges of balancing coursework with other responsibilities.

davie08
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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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