What Does Zero Net Force Mean For An Object's Movement?

AI Thread Summary
Zero net force on an object indicates that it experiences no acceleration. The discussion highlights that a rocket moving at a constant speed in a straight line is the only scenario that meets this criterion. Other examples, such as a car making a turn or a truck speeding up, involve acceleration and therefore net forces. The concept of acceleration is clarified as a vector quantity, which includes both magnitude and direction. Understanding these principles is crucial for grasping the relationship between force, acceleration, and motion.
DUCEDAWG
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Which of the following describes an object with zero net force acting on it? Choose all that apply.

A car sped along at a constant rate while making a left turn.
A truck sped up while proceeding along a straight path.
A plane slowed down while making a u-turn.
A boat accelerated at a constant rate while making a right turn.
A rocket moved at a constant speed while moving in a straight line.

I know that zero net force means that it has no acceleration, Sped up means accelerating. I picked the 1st and last one it was wrong.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Hi there,

DUCEDAWG said:
A rocket moved at a constant speed while moving in a straight line.

You are right by saying that an object that accelerates is necessarily submitted to external forces. Can you tell me what is the acceleration is your last example?

Cheers
 
fatra2 said:
Hi there,



You are right by saying that an object that accelerates is necessarily submitted to external forces. Can you tell me what is the acceleration is your last example?

Cheers

There isn't any acceleration acting on the rocket.
 
Hint: acceleration is not just a number. ;)
 
CompuChip said:
Hint: acceleration is not just a number. ;)

CompuChip, I truly don't understand. What do you mean acceleration is not just a number?
 
Chewy0087 said:
I think he means it's a

vector, not simply a magnitude

same as the other thread, it means it's dependant on direction, by turning you're accelerating in a new direction! Like i said in the other thread, and because you're accelerating F = ma

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Euclidean_vector#Vectors_in_physics

So, therefore, the answer is A rocket moved at a constant speed while moving in a straight line
 
DUCEDAWG said:
So, therefore, the answer is A rocket moved at a constant speed while moving in a straight line

correcto, but are you sure you understand WHY? this is a really key key thing in understanding acceleration, velocity and vectors in general
 
Back
Top