Question with acceleration vector

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding acceleration in various scenarios, particularly in circular motion and when a car is in reverse. It clarifies that an object moving in a circle has acceleration due to the change in direction, while a car reversing can have positive acceleration when slowing down despite moving backwards. The participants debate the validity of different formulas related to velocity and acceleration, specifically discussing the implications of v(T + ΔT) and its representation of varying velocity over time. There is a consensus that the formula for acceleration, a = Δv / Δt, can be used to analyze changes in velocity. The conversation concludes with a correction regarding the interpretation of acceleration in reverse motion, emphasizing the complexity of these concepts.
goonking
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Homework Statement


http://imgur.com/LravIr3

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


We know A is wrong, because a object going in a circle has acceleration (i'm not sure why that is, maybe someone can explain)

B is wrong because if a car in reverse is slowing down, it technically has positive acceleration, right?

D is wrong because refer to my explanation for B.

C and E, I have no idea what that formula is but V x T is distance but I have no idea what the formulas are implying. Anyone can shed some light on what C and E means?
 
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The formula ##v(T + Δ T) ## refers to the velocity of the object at time## (T +Δ T)##.
Now can you decide if C and E are right or wrong?
 
Suraj M said:
The formula ##v(T + Δ T) ## refers to the velocity of the object at time## (T +Δ T)##.
Now can you decide if C and E are right or wrong?

how does velocity multiplying the time give you velocity again?
 
Its not multiplication, It's a way of representing the velocity at a particular time, as the velocity varies with time!
 
Suraj M said:
Its not multiplication, It's a way of representing the velocity at a particular time, as the velocity varies with time!
can you make up a word problem that uses v(T+ΔT)?
 
Okay instead of a word problem with ##V(T+ΔT)## try this.
Let ##~~ V(t) = ƒ(t)## and ##ƒ(t) = u(0) + at ##
here i used ## u(0)## itts actually ##u(t=0)## we often miss out the ##t=##
so in your question it should have been- ## v(t_2 = T+ΔT)## and ##v(t_1 = T)##
we often omit the t= to make things easier,
Its represented like this because velocity is not a constant and is a function of time, skips the steps you'd have to involve to define ##v_1 ~ and~ v_2##
its just like writing ##V(initial) and V(final)##
see this
 
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answer (D) seems true
EDIT: (D) is not always true
 
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goonking said:
can you make up a word problem that uses v(T+ΔT)?
Where the acceleration of a body is known to be constant, we can determine that acceleration by making two measurements of its velocity some time apart, then using the formula;

a = Δv / Δt

= ( v(T+ΔT) - v(T) ) / ΔT
 
NascentOxygen said:
answer (D) seems true
if I'm in a car, and I'm in reverse while increasing my speed. I'm accelerating while going backwards so my acceleration is negative. I then slow down a bit while reversing but I'm still moving backwards, my acceleration is now positive even though I'm still moving backwards. It is positive because I slowed down in reverse. How can D still be true?
 
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goonking said:
if I'm in a car, and I'm in reverse while increasing my speed. I'm accelerating while going backwards so my acceleration is negative. I then slow down a bit while reversing but I'm still moving backwards, my acceleration is now positive even though I'm still moving backwards. It is positive because I slowed down in reverse. How can D still be true?
You are right. I was not correct because in that case (D) is not true. I'll amend my earlier post. Thanks for the correction.
 
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