course Phy 121 006. Using equations with uniformly accelerated motion.
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Given Solution: The equation vf = v0 + a * `dt is solved for a by first adding -v0 to both sides to obtain vf - v0 = v0 + a * `dt - v0, which simplifies to vf - v0 = a * `dt. Both sides are then divided by `dt to obtain (vf - v0) / `dt = a. Reversing left-and right-hand sides we obtain the formula a = (vf - v0) / `dt. We then plug in our given values of initial and final velocities and the time interval. Since velocity increases from 10 m/s to 30 m/s, initial velocity is v0 = 10 m/s and final velocity is vf = 30 m/s. The time interval `dt is 15 seconds, so we have a = (30 m/s - 10 m/s) / (15 s) = 20 m/s / (15 s) = 1.33.. m/s^2. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: `q002. It wasn't necessary to use a equation to solve this problem. How could this problem had been reasoned out without the use of an equation? YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: If you know an object has an initial velocity and a final velocity, then the difference is the change in velocity. How fast an object is going over time (change) ad over what time it is doing so, can give you the acceleration. confidence rating #$&* 3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: Knowing that acceleration is the average rate at which velocity changes, we would first find the change in velocity from 10 meters/second to 30 meters/second, which is 20 meters/second. We would then divided change in velocity by the time interval to get 20 meters/second / (15 sec) = 1.33 m/s^2. STUDENT QUESTION (about reasoning vs. using the equation) I understand but the steps taken to get to the acceleration were the steps of the equation????? INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE The steps outlined here are the steps we could use to derive the equation. However it's possible to use the equation blindly, without understanding the reasoning behind it. In fact this is how most student use the equation, if not asked questions of this nature about the reasoning. So, this question asks for the reasoning. The first statement in the given solution is 'Knowing that acceleration is the average rate at which velocity changes, we would first find the change in velocity from 10 meters/second to 30 meters/second, which is 20 meters/second.' When using the equation you never explicitly find or reason out the change in velocity, though of course the change in velocity is there in the equation, represented by the term a * `dt. In other words, you do find it, but you can use the equation without ever recognizing that you have done so. Similarly the step a = (30 m/s - 10 m/s) / 15 s in your equation-based solution does correctly divide the change in velocity by the time interval, but you can use the equation to do this without ever recognizing that you have done so. The direct reasoning solution never mentions or uses the equation, though of course direct reasoning can be used to derive the equation. This should help illustrate the difference between direct reasoning and using an equation. Both skills are important. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: `q003. Use the equation `ds = (vf + v0) / 2 * `dt to determine the initial velocity of an object which accelerates uniformly through a distance of 80 meters in 10 seconds, ending up at a velocity of 6 meters / sec. begin by solving the equation for the desired quantity. Show every step of your solution. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: Using math, the equation can be manipulated to the point where v0 = 2(ds/dt) vf So plugging gin the numbers, we get v0 = 2(80meters/ 10seconds) 6m/s solving this, we get 2(8m/s) 6m/s = 16m/s 6m/s = 10m/s confidence rating #$&* ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: We begin by solving the equation for v0. Starting with `ds = (vf + v0) / 2 * `dt, we can first multiply both sides of the equation by 2 / `dt, which gives us `ds * 2 / `dt = (vf + v0) / 2 * `dt * 2 / `dt. The right-hand side can be rearranged to give (vf + v0) * `dt / `dt * 2 / 2; since `dt / `dt = 1 and 2 / 2 = 1 the right-hand side becomes just vf + v0. The equation therefore becomes 2 * `ds / `dt = vf + v0. Adding -vf to both sides we obtain v0 = 2 * `ds / `dt - vf. We now plug in `ds = 80 meters, `dt = 10 sec and vf = 6 m/s to get v0 = 2 * 80 meters / 10 sec - 6 m/s = 160 meters / 10 sec - 6 m/s = 16 m/s - 6 m/s = 10 m/s. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: `q004. We can reconcile the above solution with straightforward reasoning. How could the initial velocity have been reasoned out from the given information without the use of an equation? Hint: two of the quantities given in the problem can be combined to give another important quantity, which can then be combined with the third given quantity to reason out the final velocity. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: Im really more of a math problem, and find myself setting up equations in order to reason things out, but if I have to, Id say if we have the final velocity, and the amount of time it took to get that velocity, how far the object went, we can reason out the initial velocity. Though I just used the equation again in my head .. confidence rating #$&* 2 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: The average velocity of the object is the average rate at which its position changes, which is equal to the 80 meters change in position divided by the 10 s change in clock time, or 80 meters / 10 sec = 8 meters / sec. Since the 8 m/s average velocity is equal to the average of the unknown initial velocity and the 6 m/s final velocity, we ask what quantity when average with 6 m/s will give us 8 m/s. Knowing that the average must be halfway between the two numbers being averaged, we see that the initial velocity must be 10 m/s. That is, 8 m/s is halfway between 6 m/s and 10 m/s. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Im just seeing the equation put into words here. Is that what we are supposed to do here?
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Given Solution: The unknown quantity is the initial velocity v0. To solve for v0 we start with `ds = v0 `dt + .5 a `dt^2. We first add -.5 a `dt^2 to both sides to obtain `ds - .5 a `dt^2 = v0 `dt. We then divide both sides by `dt to obtain (`ds - .5 a `dt^2) / `dt = v0. Then we substitute the given displacement `ds = 80 meters, acceleration a = -2 m/s^2 and time interval `dt = 10 seconds to obtain v0 = [ 80 meters - .5 * (-2 m/s^2) * (10 sec)^2 ] / (10 sec) = [ 80 meters - .5 * (-2 m/s^2) * 100 s^2 ] / (10 sec) = [ 80 m - (-100 m) ] / (10 sec) = 180 m / (10 s) = 18 m/s. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: `q006. Check the consistency of this result by verifying, by direct reasoning rather than equations, that an object whose initial velocity is 18 m/s and which accelerates for 10 seconds at an acceleration of -2 m/s^2 does indeed experience a displacement of 80 meters. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: If the object is traveling at 18 m/s for 10 seconds, it will go 180 meters. With the acceleration actually being -2m/s^2, the object would travel-20m/s less. The average between 18m/s and -2m/s is 8 m/s, traveling that for 10 seconds, it would go 80m. confidence rating #$&* ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: The change in the velocity of the object will be -2 m/s^2 * 10 s = -20 m/s. The object will therefore have a final velocity of 18 m/s - 20 m/s = -2 m/s. Its average velocity will be the average (18 m/s + (-2 m/s) ) / 2 = 8 m/s. An object which travels at an average velocity of 8 m/s for 10 sec will travel 80 meters. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Still easier with the equation
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Given Solution: To solve for the unknown initial velocity v0 we start with vf^2 = v0^2 + 2 a `ds. We first add -2 a `ds to both sides to obtain vf^2 - 2 a `ds = v0^2. We then reverse the right-and left-hand sides and take the square root of both sides, obtaining v0 = +- `sqrt( vf^2 - 2 a `ds). We then substitute the given quantities vf = 20 m/s, `ds = 80 m and a = 3 m/s^2 to obtain v0 = +- `sqrt( (20 m/s)^2 - 2 * 2 m/s^2 * 80 m) = +- `sqrt( 400 m^2 / s^2 - 320 m^2 / s^2) = +- `sqrt(80 m^2 / s^2) = +- 8.9 m/s (approx.). &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: `q008. We can verify that starting at +8.9 m/s an object which attains a final velocity of 20 m/s while displacing 80 meters must accelerate at 2 m/s^2. In this case the average velocity will be ( 8.9 m/s + 20 m/s) / 2 = 14.5 m/s (approx) and the change in velocity will be 20 m/s - 8.9 m/s = 11.1 m/s. At average velocity 14.5 meters/second the time required to displace the 80 meters will be 80 m / (14.5 sec) = 5.5 sec (approx). The velocity change of 11.1 meters/second in 5.5 sec implies an average acceleration of 11.1 m/s / (5.5 sec) = 2 m/s^2 (approx), consistent with our results. Verify that starting at -8.9 m/s the object will also have acceleration 2 meters/second^2 if it ends up at velocity 20 m/s while displacing 80 meters. YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: Change in velocity = 28.9 meters Average Velocity = 11.1/2 = 5.5 m/s To displace 80 meters = 14.5 seconds Acceleration = change/time = 28.9/14.5 = 1.99 or roughly 2 confidence rating #$&* 3 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: In this case the average velocity will be ( -8.9 m/s + 20 m/s) / 2 = 5.5 m/s (approx) and the change in velocity will be 20 m/s - (-8.9 m/s) = 28.9 m/s (approx). At average velocity 5.5 meters/second the time required to displace the 80 meters will be 80 m / (5.5 sec) = 14.5 sec (approx). The velocity change of 28.5 meters/second in 14.5 sec implies an average acceleration of 28.5 m/s / (14.5 sec) = 2 m/s^2 (approx), again consistent with our results. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): Not Necessary ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating #$&* ********************************************* Question: `q009. Describe in commonsense terms the motion of the object in this example if its initial velocity is indeed -8.9 m/s. Assume that the object starts at the crossroads between two roads running North and South, and East and West, respectively, and that the object ends up 80 meters North of the crossroads. In what direction does it start out, what happens to its speed, and how does it end up where it does? Your solution: If the object starts out on the crossroads, or at point (0,0) if we were on a graph, The only way I can think of it having a negative velocity, is if it began traveling south, then changed directions and traveled to 80 meters north of its original starting point. confidence rating #$&* ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: The object ends up at position +80 meters, which is assumed to be 80 meters to the North. Its initial velocity is -8.9 m/s, with the - sign indicating that the initial velocity is in the direction opposite to the displacement of the object. So the object must start out moving to the South at 8.9 meters/second. Its acceleration is +2 m/s^2, which is in the opposite direction to its initial velocity. This means that the velocity of the object changes by +2 m/s every second. After 1 second the velocity of the object will therefore be -8.9 m/s + 2 m/s = -6.9 m/s. After another second the velocity will be -6.9 m/s + 2 m/s = -4.9 m/s. After another second the velocity will be -2.9 m/s, after another -.9 m/s, and after another -.9 m/s + 2 m/s = +1.1 m/s. The speed of the object must therefore decrease, starting at 8.9 m/s (remember speed is always positive because speed doesn't have direction) and decreasing to 6.9 m/s, then 4.9 m/s, etc. until it reaches 0 for an instant, and then starts increasing again. Since velocities after that instant become positive, the object will therefore start moving to the North immediately after coming to a stop, picking up speed at 2 m/s every second. This will continue until the object has attained a velocity of +20 meters/second and has displaced +80 meters from its initial position.{}{}It is important to understand that it is possible for velocity to be in one direction and acceleration in the other. In this case the initial velocity is negative while the acceleration is positive. If this continues long enough the velocity will reach zero, then will become positive. STUDENT QUESTION I understood the negative velocity but was unsure how to explain the rest. I am still rather confused by the last paragraph, expecially where it says that it is possible for velocity to be in one direction and acceleration in the other. INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE If you speed up the acceleration is in the direction of motion. If you slow down the acceleration is opposite the direction of motion. To speed up a wagon you can get behind it and push in the direction of its motion, giving it an acceleration in its direction of motion. To slow it down you can get in front of it and push it against its direction of motion (not advisable if it's a big wagon; think of stopping a child in a small wagon), giving it an acceleration in the direction opposite its motion. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary):X ------------------------------------------------ Self-critique rating #$&* "
course Phy 121 006. `query 6*********************************************
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Given Solution: The student obtained initial velocity zero and time interval 10 seconds. Along with the given 30 m/s final velocity this would lead to the following conclusions: the average velocity is 15 m/s, which since acceleration is uniform is simply the average of the initial and final velocities justification in terms of definitions: if acceleration is uniform, then the v vs t graph is linear so that the average velocity is equal to the average of initial and final velocities multiplying the 15 m/s average velocity by the 10 s time interval interval we get displacement 150 m justification in terms of definitions: ave velocity is ave rate of change of position with respect to clock time, so vAve = `ds / `dt, from which it follows that `ds = vAve * `dt the change in velocity would be 30 m/s, since the velocity changes on this interval from 0 m/s to 30 m/s; so the acceleration would be aAve = `dv / `dt = 30 m/s / (10 s) = 3 m/s^2 justification in terms of definitions: ave acceleration is ave rate of change of velocity with respect to clock time, so aAve = `dv / `dt. in this situation acceleration is uniform, so we can if we wish use just plain a instead of aAve The student's solution is not consistent with the given information, which specified acceleration 2 m/s^2 and displacement 125 meters. A solution to the problem: Using the fourth equation of motion with the given information (`ds, a and vf) we have vf^2 = v0^2 + 2 a `ds , which we solve for v0 to get v0 = +- sqrt( vf^2 - 2 a `ds) = +- sqrt( (30 m/s)^2 - 2 * (2 m/s^2) * (125 m) ) = +- sqrt( 900 m^2 / s^2 - 500 m^2 / s^2) = +- sqrt( 400 m^2 / s^2) = +- 20 m/s. If vf = 20 m/s then we could directly reason out the rest (vAve would be 25 m/s, so it would take 5 s to go 125 m), or we could use the first or second equation of motion to find `dt The first equation `ds = (vf + v0) / 2 * `dt gives us `dt = 2 * `ds / (vf + v0) = 2 * 125 m / (20 m/s + 30 m/s) = 5 s. Alternatively the second equation vf = v0 + a `dt gives us `dt = (vf - v0) / a = (30 m/s - 20 m/s) / (2 m/s^2) = 10 m/s / (2 m/s^2) = 5 s. If vf = -20 m/s then we could directly reason out the rest (vAve would be (-20 m/s + 30 m/s) / 2 = 5 m/s, so it would take 25 s to go 125 m), or we could use the first or second equation of motion to find `dt The first equation `ds = (vf + v0) / 2 * `dt gives us `dt = 2 * `ds / (vf + v0) = 2 * 125 m / (-20 m/s + 30 m/s) = 25 s. Alternatively the second equation vf = v0 + a `dt gives us `dt = (vf - v0) / a = (30 m/s - (-20 m/s) ) / (2 m/s^2) = 50 m/s / (2 m/s^2) = 25 s. STUDENT COMMENT Umm, evidently I did NOT understand the problem.. even looking back, Im still not sure how everything in the question exactly relates to the answer. I understand the given answer and what it means, but the original questions are very confusing to me! INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE The point is that the student's solutions are inconsistent. Using the initial velocity obtained by the student, the change in velocity would be 30 m/s and the acceleration would be 3 m/s^2. This of course contradicts the given acceleration, which was 2 m/s^2. So the student's solution contradicts the given information. STUDENT COMMENT I do not understand this problem at all. The information given all makes sense and I know that I am looking for some way to make it all fit together to verify the students results. I understand it a little better and understand the path I was supposed to take after reading through the explanation, but am going to have to work on problems like these. INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE It would be really beneficial for you to go through the given solution one phrase at a time, and tell me exactly what you do and do not understand. For example in the first few lines: The student obtained initial velocity zero and time interval 10 seconds. Along with the given 30 m/s final velocity this would lead to the following conclusions: the average velocity is 15 m/s, which since acceleration is uniform is simply the average of the initial and final velocities **** do you understand how the given information leads to the conclusion that the average velocity is 15 m/s? **** **** what do you and do you not understand about the meaning of the statement 'since acceleration is uniform is simply the average of the initial and final velocities'? **** the change in velocity would be 30 m/s, since the velocity changes on this interval from 0 m/s to 30 m/s **** what do you and do you not understand about the details of this statement and its overall meaning? **** so the acceleration would be aAve = `dv / `dt = 30 m/s / (10 s) = 3 m/s^2 **** what do you and do you not understand about the meaning of the statement acceleration is `dv / `dt? **** **** what do you and do you not understand about why in this case `dv is 30 m/s and `dt is 10 s? **** **** what do you and do you not understand about the calculation 30 m/s / (10 s) = 3 m/s^2? **** You should deconstruct the entire solution, one phrase at a time, and tell me what you do and do not understand about each. With that information I can help you address the things you don't understand. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): I took some of the students answers as a know, such as the time interval. Misread the question. Self-critique rating #$&*3 ********************************************* Question: An automobile coasts at high speed down a hill, speeding up as it goes. It encounters significant air resistance, which causes it to speed up less quickly than it would in the absence of air resistance. If the positive direction is down the hill, then Is the direction of the automobile's velocity positive or negative? Is the direction of the air resistance positive or negative? If the positive direction is up the hill, then Is the direction of the automobile's velocity positive or negative? Is the direction of the automobile's acceleration positive or negative? YYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY Your solution: The velocity is increasing, so the direction of any graph will show and increase and a positive direction for the velocity. As for the physical direction of the car, it is downhill, so the direction will be negative when graphed. If the car were going uphill, if the velocity is increasing, it is positive, if it is decreasing it is negative. As for the physical direction of the car, going uphill would make it positive. confidence rating #$&* ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
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Given Solution: If you are riding in the car your perception is that the forward direction is the one in which you are moving. You can stick your hand out the window and feel that the air resistance is in the 'backward' direction. Since the automobile is speeding up its acceleration is in its direction of motion. The velocity is down the hill. Thus the direction of the velocity and acceleration are both down the hill, and the direction of the air resistance is up the hill. Therefore If the direction down the hill is positive then the velocity is positive, the acceleration is positive and air resistance is negative. If the direction down the hill is negative then the velocity is negative, the acceleration is negative and air resistance is positive. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Self-critique (if necessary): I didnt realize that the velocity could be negative if the direction is downhill and negative .