Motion of Object: Velocity & Acceleration Direction

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The discussion revolves around understanding the concepts of velocity and acceleration in physics, specifically regarding an object moving north. It is clarified that while the velocity vector can indeed point north, the lack of information about speed changes over time complicates the understanding of motion. The acceleration vector can also point north if the object is speeding up, or south if it is slowing down. The key takeaway is that both velocity and acceleration require direction and magnitude for a complete description, but the question focuses solely on direction. Overall, the confusion stems from the need to consider both direction and potential changes in speed.
Lily Lauren
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I am so lost with this physics question, I am just new to physics and it is kicking my butt!

Question: You are describing to a friend the motion of an object moving north. However, you mention nothing about how the speed of the object as time passes.

a) Is it possible for your friend to state the velocity vector points north? Is it possible to state it points south? Explain.

b) Is it possible for your friend to state the acceleration vector points north? Is it possible to state it points south? Explain.



- This is probably a really simple question an I know both velocity and acceleration have direction but I'm confused on what this question is asking because both of them would need more then just a direction?

 
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Lily Lauren said:
I am so lost with this physics question, I am just new to physics and it is kicking my butt!

Question: You are describing to a friend the motion of an object moving north. However, you mention nothing about how the speed of the object as time passes.

a) Is it possible for your friend to state the velocity vector points north? Is it possible to state it points south? Explain.

b) Is it possible for your friend to state the acceleration vector points north? Is it possible to state it points south? Explain.



- This is probably a really simple question an I know both velocity and acceleration have direction but I'm confused on what this question is asking because both of them would need more then just a direction?
You need to know both the magnitude and direction of a vector to fully describe it, but the question talks about direction with unknown magnitude. It is given that the velocity vector points north. But the object velocity might be changing with time, that is , accelerating or decelerating or staying constant
So now how do you answer and explain?
 
Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Thread 'Variable mass system : water sprayed into a moving container'

Starting with the mass considerations #m(t)# is mass of water #M_{c}# mass of container and #M(t)# mass of total system $$M(t) = M_{C} + m(t)$$ $$\Rightarrow \frac{dM(t)}{dt} = \frac{dm(t)}{dt}$$ $$P_i = Mv + u \, dm$$ $$P_f = (M + dm)(v + dv)$$ $$\Delta P = M \, dv + (v - u) \, dm$$ $$F = \frac{dP}{dt} = M \frac{dv}{dt} + (v - u) \frac{dm}{dt}$$ $$F = u \frac{dm}{dt} = \rho A u^2$$ from conservation of momentum , the cannon recoils with the same force which it applies. $$\quad \frac{dm}{dt}...
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