Ladybug Motion

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course Phy 201

3/5/13 954am

Physics I Assignment 07: Move the dot straight from the left of the screen to the right, taking a few seconds to complete the motion. Which vector represents the velocity, and which represents the acceleration? When is the acceleration vector longest? When is the velocity vector longest? When do the vectors have the same direction, and when are their directions opposite?Repeat but move the dot as quickly as possible from left to right. Describe the behaviors of the two vectors.

Now start in the upper left-hand corner, moving at first to the right, but as you continue to move to the right gradually begin arcing downwards so that you follow a graceful (?) curve from upper right to lower left. Describe the behavior of the velocity and acceleration vectors.

Now move the dot around a circular path. Follow a slow circular path, then try to double your speed along the same path. How does the direction of the acceleration vector compare with that of the velocity vector? If you double the speed, then what happens to the magnitudes of the velocity vector and the acceleration vector?

Submit a copy of your results and insights using the Submit Work Form, with title 'Ladybug Motion'.

The green line represents velocity and the blue line represents acceleration.

The acceleration vector is longest when the dot begins to move quickly or slows down quickly.

The velocity vector is longest when the dot is moving the fastest

The vectors have the same direction when the dot is accelerating and opposite when the dot is slowing down.

When moving in a curve the velocity vector follows mainly in the direction the dot is moving. The acceleration vector points in the direction the dot came from but not directly behind the dot and not the exact opposite of the velocity vector.

In a circular path the velocity points mostly in the direction the dot is traveling while the acceleration vector tends to point towards the center of the circle being drawn. When moving fast enough the vectors almost appear to form a right angle.

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Good.

If the ladybug was moved in a circular path at constant speed (not really possible with a mouse) the velocity and acceleration vectors would be exactly perpendicular, with the acceleration pointing always toward the center of the circle.

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&#This looks very good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#