How Far Does a Particle Travel in an Equilateral Triangle with Mixed Motion?

  • Thread starter Thread starter adk
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Triangle
Click For Summary

Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a particle moving from rest with a uniform velocity and acceleration along the sides of an equilateral triangle. The specific question is to determine the distance traveled by the particle after 5 seconds, given the parameters of motion.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss whether the problem is purely kinematic and question the clarity of the problem statement regarding the directions of motion. Some express confusion about the implications of having velocity and acceleration in non-perpendicular directions.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the problem setup. Some have suggested starting with vector diagrams and equations, while others are questioning the assumptions made about the angles involved in the motion.

Contextual Notes

There is a noted lack of a figure or coordinate system in the problem statement, leading to ambiguity in understanding the directions of motion. Participants are also considering the implications of the angles (60 degrees and 120 degrees) related to the triangle's geometry.

adk
Messages
8
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



A particle moves from rest and has impressed a uniform velocity of 10 meters per second parallel to one side of an equilateral triangle, and a uniform acceleration of 10 meters/sec2 parallel to an adjacent side of the triangle. Find the distance of the particle from its original position at the end of 5 seconds.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Hi All - My teacher posted this problem but I'm not quite sure how to get going with it. Is this just a distance kinematic problem?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Just that, don't be fooled by particles might have been a pigeon in wind instead.
 
adk said:

Homework Statement



A particle moves from rest and has impressed a uniform velocity of 10 meters per second parallel to one side of an equilateral triangle, and a uniform acceleration of 10 meters/sec2 parallel to an adjacent side of the triangle. Find the distance of the particle from its original position at the end of 5 seconds.

Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution


Hi All - My teacher posted this problem but I'm not quite sure how to get going with it. Is this just a distance kinematic problem?

The question is not fully defined as stated. There are two adjacent sides, so it depends on which one you are talking about. Is there a figure showing the direction of motion and which side they are talking about? Is a coordinate system shown?

I suppose you could just solve it for each of the adjacent sides and both of the initial directions of travel...
 
no figure or coordinate system was given unfortunately. what do you mean by solve for adjacent sides?
thanks.
 
adk said:
A particle moves from rest and has impressed a uniform velocity of 10 meters per second parallel to one side of an equilateral triangle, and a uniform acceleration of 10 meters/sec2 parallel to an adjacent side of the triangle.

That doesn't make sense …

how can it have a uniform velocity in one direction, and an acceleration in a non-perpendicular direction? :confused:
 
tiny-tim said:
That doesn't make sense …

how can it have a uniform velocity in one direction, and an acceleration in a non-perpendicular direction? :confused:

Just like an electron deviated from it;s path by a magnetic field. it has a velocity in one direction at first but the force will accelerate it in another. Just simpler in the problem.
 
The thing is that there are 2 versions. A 60 deg one and a 120 deg one. Which is it really?
 
Lok said:
The thing is that there are 2 versions. A 60 deg one and a 120 deg one. Which is it really?

not sure what you mean here - all the information from the question is given. can you start me out on the first step?
 
You could start a vector diagram with equations vi*t and 0.5at^2, finding the resultant vector when t = 5.
 
  • #10
inutard said:
You could start a vector diagram with equations vi*t and 0.5at^2, finding the resultant vector when t = 5.

i solved this equation: (10)(5) + (1/2)(9.81)(5)^2 = 172.625

where does this fit in though - not really sure what i was solving for?
 
  • #11
kriegera said:
not sure what you mean here - all the information from the question is given. can you start me out on the first step?

The adiacent side of the triangle could be anyone so the vector from the acceleration might be at 60 deg or at 120 deg. The forward motion of 10m/s is not in the same angle direction vector, whatever does it for you, as the acceleration.
 
  • #12
i'm sorry, I'm not following this.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
4K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
4K
Replies
6
Views
11K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
26K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
10K
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
4
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
10K