Question wording, please confirm

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The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a question regarding kinetic energy, which is stated to be directly proportional to the square of speed. The confusion arises from the wording, with one participant initially misunderstanding the relationship between kinetic energy and speed. Clarification is provided that the correct interpretation is E is proportional to v^2, emphasizing the importance of parsing the sentence accurately. The conversation highlights the need to focus on essential details to grasp the concept effectively. Ultimately, the participants reach a clearer understanding of the proportionality involved.
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bascially, I'm 100% sure i understod the wording of the question, below, can you please check though i confirm i interpretted right, thnx buddies

Homework Statement



the kinetic energy, E joules, of an object moving with a speed v m/s, is directly proportional to v^2.

the kinetic energy of the object is 15 480 joules when its speed is 6 m/s.

a) find a formula for E in terms of v

Homework Equations



none

The Attempt at a Solution



Ev (proportional sign) v^2
Ev = kv^2
15480 x 6 = k x 6^2
92 880 = k x 36
k = 2580

Ev = 2580 x v^2
E = 2580v




thnx for the help
 
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I am curious as to how you came to this conclusion;
Trail_Builder said:
Ev (proportional sign) v^2
 
that where i get confused, i kinda thought the question meant that the kin energy times the speed is proportional to the speed squared

either that or I'm totally confused

please help

thnx
 
Trail_Builder said:
that where i get confused, i kinda thought the question meant that the kin energy times the speed is proportional to the speed squared

either that or I'm totally confused

please help

thnx
No, not quite. The statement means simply that E\propto v^2.
 
Last edited:
o rite, i see, thnx for clearing that up, but isn't it E proptional to v squared?

thnx buddy
 
The trick (if I understand the source of your confusion) is to learn to partition the sentence correctly.
Trail_Builder said:
the kinetic energy, E joules, of an object moving with a speed v m/s, is directly proportional to v^2.
Try to throw away all non-essential details and extract the thrust of the statement, i.e., some property of some object is proportional to some other property.

Then you can keep track of the details separately...
Some property = KE
some object = "object moving with a speed v"
some other property = v^2

The upshot of this is that one property is proportional to another, namely, KE prop v^2

Perhaps it would help if you read the sentence as though it were written this way: the kinetic energy, E joules, (of an object moving with a speed v m/s) is directly proportional to v^2.
 
Trail_Builder said:
o rite, i see, thnx for clearing that up, but isn't it E proptional to v squared?

thnx buddy
Sorry, that was a typo. Now corrected :smile:
 
Gokul43201 said:
The trick (if I understand the source of your confusion) is to learn to partition the sentence correctly.
Try to throw away all non-essential details and extract the thrust of the statement, i.e., some property of some object is proportional to some other property.

Then you can keep track of the details separately...
Some property = KE
some object = "object moving with a speed v"
some other property = v^2

The upshot of this is that one property is proportional to another, namely, KE prop v^2

Perhaps it would help if you read the sentence as though it were written this way: the kinetic energy, E joules, (of an object moving with a speed v m/s) is directly proportional to v^2.


o rite eyh that'll be where i was going wrong lol, thnx for that, i understadn now :D
 
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