Test whether constant incline is constant acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving a car rolling down a constant incline from rest, with measurements taken for distance and time to analyze whether the acceleration is constant. The subject area includes kinematics and the analysis of motion under gravity.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate acceleration using the kinematic equation and presents their findings. Some participants question the validity of the results, noting significant differences in the calculated accelerations. Others inquire about the criteria needed to prove whether acceleration is constant.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants exploring different interpretations of the data. Some guidance has been offered regarding the interpretation of the acceleration values, but there is no explicit consensus on the evidence for constant acceleration.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the implications of significant differences in calculated accelerations and discussing how to approach the proof of constant acceleration based on the provided measurements.

BuhRock
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1. A car rolls down such an incline from rest, starting at different positions on the incline.
If the car coasts distances of .7430036cm, .9169641cm, 2.025999cm, and 1.61088cm, starting from rest each time and requires respective times of 3.5 sec, 7 sec, 7.25 sec, and 7.75 sec, is there evidence that acceleration is constant.

2. s = v0(t) + .5at^2
3. I used that equation for each interval and found 4 accelerations. The respective accelerations were: .12 cm/s^2, .04cm/s^2, .08cm/s^2, .05cm/s^2

I'm not sure how to prove that there is evidence that the acceleration is constant. The accelerations are all close together though.
 
Last edited:
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The accelerations are very different. 0.12 is 4 times 0.04 .

B.T.W.: The 0.04 cm/s2 acceleration is 0.037 cm/s2 to 2 sig. figs.
 
So when is asks if there is evidence that acceleration is constant, how do I need to prove that?
 
With those data, I would say there is evidence that the acceleration is not constant.
 

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