How Is Acceleration Calculated When a Car Changes Direction But Not Speed?

AI Thread Summary
Acceleration is calculated as the change in velocity over the change in time, even when speed remains constant. In this scenario, the car changes direction from northwest to northeast while maintaining a speed of 20 m/s over 10 seconds. This indicates that there is a change in velocity, which results in acceleration despite the constant speed. The average acceleration can be determined by analyzing the vector components of the initial and final velocities. Understanding that both velocity and acceleration are vector quantities is crucial for solving this problem accurately.
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Homework Statement


A car traveling at a constant speed of 20 m/s that is initially traveling due northwest rounds a corner so that after 10 s, the car is traveling due northeast. What are the magnitude and direction of the car's average acceleration during this interval of time? Be sure to sketch a motion diagram for process as well.


Homework Equations



acceleration = change in velocity / change in time

The Attempt at a Solution



Since the car is traveling at a constant speed, I would assume that the acceleration is zero. However, this does not seem right by the content of the question. Could someone please help me get started?
 
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possum30540 said:

Homework Statement


A car traveling at a constant speed of 20 m/s that is initially traveling due northwest rounds a corner so that after 10 s, the car is traveling due northeast. What are the magnitude and direction of the car's average acceleration during this interval of time? Be sure to sketch a motion diagram for process as well.

Homework Equations



acceleration = change in velocity / change in time

The Attempt at a Solution



Since the car is traveling at a constant speed, I would assume that the acceleration is zero. However, this does not seem right by the content of the question. Could someone please help me get started?

Velocity and acceleration are Vectors.

So ... Change in Velocity / change in time =
 
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