Mechanics Kinematic General Concept question, not a numerical?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the concept of positive direction and acceleration in kinematics, particularly when two balls are projected in opposite directions. It raises the question of whether each ball has its own positive direction or if there is a single positive direction for the scene. The confusion stems from the idea that if the positive direction is downward, a ball moving upward would have negative acceleration, yet the acceleration can still be considered positive when analyzed from different perspectives. Participants clarify that acceleration is independent of velocity direction, emphasizing that it remains constant regardless of the motion's direction. The conversation highlights the complexities of interpreting acceleration and direction in kinematic scenarios.
T.S.M
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Mechanics Kinematic General Concept question, not a numerical!?

I'm really confused concerning the positive direction and the acceleration taken while concerning the motion of the ball!
Well, the main thing that i wanted to ask is that if 2 balls are been projected at the same time in two opposite directions in the same 'scene'. How many positive directions we will take, as in only one positive direction in one scene whatsoever are the directions of the to ball or every individual has it's own positive direction!
Please clarify that how many positive direction we will take for two balls thrown at same time in one scene!

Please explain one more thing, My teacher told me that if the positive direction is downwards and the ball is going upwards from the reference point, it's common sense that if ball moves upwards it has NEGATIVE acceleration, that is a= - g but as it is going in the -ve direction i.e; upwards so - (- g) will give us + g and thus we will take acceleration positive and in the same scene if the ball is going down it has defo + a and as it is also going in the positive direction so + (+ g) will give us +g, I was just wondering how can A be positive for both balls whereas they are traveling in opp. direction. So do u guys agree with this concept?
P.s: Whereas one of my teacher rejected this idea, LOL , :S

Please make these both concepts clear to me! :confused:
Thank-you! :)
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Welcome to PF!

Hi T.S.M! Welcome to PF! :smile:
T.S.M said:
… if the positive direction is downwards and the ball is going upwards from the reference point, it's common sense that if ball moves upwards it has NEGATIVE acceleration, that is a= - g but as it is going in the -ve direction i.e; upwards so - (- g) will give us + g and thus we will take acceleration positive and in the same scene if the ball is going down it has defo + a and as it is also going in the positive direction so + (+ g) will give us +g, I was just wondering how can A be positive for both balls whereas they are traveling in opp. direction.

A (the acceleration) has nothing to do with the velocity (not even with its direction) …

A is the same whether the ball is going up down or at an angle.

Imagine a train moving in a strong wind blowing South along the track …

if the train is going South anyway, the wind will make it go faster, so v will become more southerly …

if the train is going North, the wind will make it go slower, so v will become less northerly, ie more southerly

either way, the acceleration is South. :wink:
 


Hey thanks!
Yes yes i tried the way you told, that is keeping the acceleration the same, i got the answer right! :D Thank-you :)

Errmm btw can you please tell me whether the theory, my teacher told is right or wrong?
 
Let's see …
T.S.M said:
My teacher told me that if the positive direction is downwards and the ball is going upwards from the reference point, it's common sense that if ball moves upwards it has NEGATIVE acceleration, that is a= - g but as it is going in the -ve direction i.e; upwards so - (- g) will give us + g and thus we will take acceleration positive and in the same scene if the ball is going down it has defo + a and as it is also going in the positive direction so + (+ g) will give us +g,

hmm … I don't really understand that :confused:

are you sure you have it right?​
 


Yep, i'm! :S
That's what is confusing me! :O
 
Thread 'Voltmeter readings for this circuit with switches'
TL;DR Summary: I would like to know the voltmeter readings on the two resistors separately in the picture in the following cases , When one of the keys is closed When both of them are opened (Knowing that the battery has negligible internal resistance) My thoughts for the first case , one of them must be 12 volt while the other is 0 The second case we'll I think both voltmeter readings should be 12 volt since they are both parallel to the battery and they involve the key within what the...
Thread 'Struggling to make relation between elastic force and height'
Hello guys this is what I tried so far. I used the UTS to calculate the force it needs when the rope tears. My idea was to make a relationship/ function that would give me the force depending on height. Yeah i couldnt find a way to solve it. I also thought about how I could use hooks law (how it was given to me in my script) with the thought of instead of having two part of a rope id have one singular rope from the middle to the top where I could find the difference in height. But the...
Back
Top