Uniformly accelerated motion issue

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a uniform acceleration motion (UAM) problem involving a car traveling with constant acceleration. The user calculated the initial velocity (v0) as 5.6 m/s, while the correct value should be 6.7 m/s. The confusion arose from the interpretation of the average velocity over the third second, which should be applied at the midpoint rather than the endpoint of the interval. The relevant equations discussed include the UAM law of time, acceleration formula (a=Δv/Δt), and velocity formula (v=Δx/Δt).

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of uniform acceleration motion (UAM)
  • Familiarity with kinematic equations
  • Knowledge of average and instantaneous velocity concepts
  • Ability to interpret motion graphs and intervals
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation and application of the UAM equations
  • Learn how to calculate average velocity in different time intervals
  • Explore the concept of instantaneous velocity and its significance in motion analysis
  • Practice solving UAM problems with varying conditions and parameters
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone interested in understanding motion under constant acceleration.

greg_rack
Gold Member
Messages
361
Reaction score
79
Homework Statement
A car is travelling along a straight road with constant acceleration. It passes a road sign. It travels 12.2 m in the 3rd second and 14.4 m in the 4th second after passing the road sign. What was the speed of the car as it passed the road sign?
Result: [6.70m/s]
Relevant Equations
UAM law of time
a=Δv/Δt
v=Δx/Δt
I went quite confidently on this one, at least at the beginning...
I found the instant velocity on the 3rd second(v1=12.2m/1s) and the one on the 4th(v2=14.4m/1s), and subsequently the acceleration(a=2.2/1m/s*s).
Since the acceleration is constant, using the law "v=v0+aΔt", I have found v0 which in my case results as 5.6m/s as opposed to the 6.7m/s it should.
What am I getting wrong?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
greg_rack said:
Homework Statement:: A car is traveling along a straight road with constant acceleration. It passes a road sign. It travels 12.2 m in the 3rd second and 14.4 m in the 4th second after passing the road sign. What was the speed of the car as it passed the road sign?
Result: [6.70m/s]
Relevant Equations:: UAM law of time
a=Δv/Δt
v=Δx/Δt

I went quite confidently on this one, at least at the beginning...
I found the instant velocity on the 3rd second(v1=12.2m/1s) and the one on the 4th(v2=14.4m/1s), and subsequently the acceleration(a=2.2/1m/s*s).
Since the acceleration is constant, using the law "v=v0+aΔt", I have found v0 which in my case results as 5.6m/s as opposed to the 6.7m/s it should.
What am I getting wrong?
At what time in the third second did you calculate the velocity? At the beginning, middle or end of that interval?
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: jbriggs444
PeroK said:
At what time in the third second did you calculate the velocity? At the beginning, middle or end of that interval?
I supposed it ran 12.2m in one second, from the beginning to the end of the 3rd second interval.
 
greg_rack said:
I supposed it ran 12.2m in one second, from the beginning to the end of the 3rd second interval.
The question tells you that. But, you calculated a velocity. At what time does that velocity apply?
 
PeroK said:
The question tells you that. But, you calculated a velocity. At what time does that velocity apply?
That applies at the end of the interval, I'd say
 
greg_rack said:
That applies at the end of the interval, I'd say
Are you saying that the car was traveling at ##12.2m/s## at the end of the third second?
 
PeroK said:
Are you saying that the car was traveling at ##12.2m/s## at the end of the third second?
Oh, well, since it's a "mean" velocity, shouldn't it apply to the middle of the third second?
 
greg_rack said:
Oh, well, since it's a "mean" velocity, shouldn't it apply to the middle of the third second?
Exactly!
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: greg_rack

Similar threads

Replies
1
Views
808
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
  • · Replies 33 ·
2
Replies
33
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
4K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K