1.6 - Numerical Problems
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Calculating Velocity
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Today, we will learn how to calculate the velocity of an object starting from rest. Can anyone remind me what the formula for velocity is?
Isn't it Velocity equals Displacement divided by Time?
Excellent! Yes, Velocity can be found by using the formula **v = u + at**. Let's look at an example where a car accelerates at 5 m/s² for 10 seconds. What do we need to find the final velocity?
We need the initial velocity, age acceleration, and time.
Correct! Here, the initial velocity (u) is 0 m/s. What do we get if we apply the formula?
So, it's v = 0 + (5 * 10), which equals 50 m/s.
That's exactly right! The final velocity is 50 m/s after the acceleration. Remember, you can visualize this concept by remembering 'V**elocity** = **Initial** + (A**cceleration** × **Time**)'.
That's a good way to remember it!
Now to summarize, we calculated the final velocity of an object accelerating from rest using the correct formula and data provided.
Calculating Acceleration
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Let’s move on to calculating acceleration. Can anyone tell me the formula used to find acceleration?
It's the change in velocity divided by the time taken!
Right again! The formula is **a = (v - u) / t**. Now, let's apply this to a truck that speeds up from 20 m/s to 60 m/s in 5 seconds. Can someone provide the values for v, u, and t?
Final velocity (v) is 60 m/s, initial velocity (u) is 20 m/s, and time (t) is 5 seconds.
Perfect! Using those values in our formula, what acceleration do we find?
We do a = (60 - 20) / 5, which gives us 8 m/s²!
Yes! The truck's acceleration is 8 m/s². Remember, to keep it simple, think: 'A**cceleration** = (Change in **Velocity**) / **Time**'.
That makes it easier to remember!
To sum up, we calculated how much an object speeds up by using the formula for acceleration effectively.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
In this section, we explore the application of numerical problems that demonstrate the calculations of both velocity and acceleration. Two examples highlight the necessary formulas and provide step-by-step solutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the concepts to apply them effectively in real-world scenarios.
Detailed
Numerical Problems
This section provides practical examples to reinforce the concepts of velocity and acceleration covered in previous sections. Understanding how to calculate these quantities is crucial not just for academic purposes but also for real-world applications in fields such as sports, engineering, and physics.
Example 1: Calculating Velocity
Situation: A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at a rate of 5 m/s² for 10 seconds.
- Concept: To find the final velocity, we use the formula:
$$ \text{Velocity} (v) = \text{Initial Velocity} (u) + (\text{Acceleration} (a) \times \text{Time} (t)) $$
- Given:
- Initial Velocity (u) = 0 m/s
- Acceleration (a) = 5 m/s²
- Time (t) = 10 s
- Calculation:
$$ v = 0 + (5 \times 10) = 50 \text{ m/s} $$
Thus, the final velocity of the car is 50 m/s.
Example 2: Calculating Acceleration
Situation: A truck moves from an initial velocity of 20 m/s to a final velocity of 60 m/s in 5 seconds.
- Concept: The formula used here is:
$$ \text{Acceleration} (a) = \frac{\text{Change in Velocity}}{\text{Time Taken}} = \frac{v - u}{t} $$
- Given:
- Final Velocity (v) = 60 m/s
- Initial Velocity (u) = 20 m/s
- Time (t) = 5 s
- Calculation:
$$ a = \frac{60 - 20}{5} = \frac{40}{5} = 8 \text{ m/s}^2 $$
Therefore, the acceleration is 8 m/s².
By cementing these concepts through numerical problems, students can better understand and apply the ideas of motion in practical situations.
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Example 1: Calculating Velocity
Chapter 1 of 2
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Chapter Content
A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 5 m/s² for 10 seconds. Find the final velocity of the car.
v = u + at
Given:
u = 0 m/s,
a = 5 m/s²,
t = 10 s
v = 0 + (5 × 10) = 50 m/s
So, the final velocity is 50 m/s.
Detailed Explanation
In this example, we aim to find the final velocity of a car that starts from a complete stop (initial velocity is 0 m/s) and accelerates at a constant rate of 5 meters per second squared over a duration of 10 seconds. To find the final velocity, we use the formula: v = u + at, where:
- v is the final velocity,
- u is the initial velocity (0 m/s in this case),
- a is the acceleration (5 m/s²),
- t is the time (10 s).
Plugging the values into the formula gives us: v = 0 + (5 × 10) = 50 m/s. This tells us that after 10 seconds, the car reaches a speed of 50 meters per second.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine an athlete starting a sprint from a standstill. If the athlete accelerates uniformly, say by increasing their speed by 5 meters per second every second, in the time it takes them to run for 10 seconds, they will have increased their speed to 50 meters per second! Just like the car, the athlete's gradual build-up of speed shows how consistent acceleration leads to a specific final speed.
Example 2: Calculating Acceleration
Chapter 2 of 2
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Chapter Content
A truck moves from an initial velocity of 20 m/s to a final velocity of 60 m/s in 5 seconds. Calculate the acceleration.
a = (v - u) / t
Given:
v = 60 m/s,
u = 20 m/s,
t = 5 s
a = (60 - 20) / 5 = 40 / 5 = 8 m/s²
So, the acceleration is 8 m/s².
Detailed Explanation
In this example, we need to calculate the acceleration of a truck that changes its speed from an initial value of 20 meters per second to a final value of 60 meters per second over a span of 5 seconds. We use the formula for acceleration, which is: a = (v - u) / t, where:
- a is the acceleration,
- v is the final velocity (60 m/s),
- u is the initial velocity (20 m/s),
- t is the time over which the change occurs (5 s).
Substituting the values into the formula gives us: a = (60 - 20) / 5 = 40 / 5 = 8 m/s². This means that the truck's velocity increases at a rate of 8 meters per second squared during that time.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a bus driving in a city. When the bus starts from a regular driving speed of 20 m/s and accelerates to a faster speed of 60 m/s over a period of 5 seconds, the change in speed (acceleration) can be likened to the bus 'picking up speed'. Just as a bus driver would want to know how quickly the bus is getting faster, understanding the acceleration helps in determining when to start slowing down to stop at a bus stop safely.
Key Concepts
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Velocity: The rate of change of displacement that includes both speed and direction.
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Acceleration: The rate of change of velocity over time.
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Displacement: The shortest distance between the initial and final position of an object.
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Equations of Motion: Formulas relating velocity, displacement, and time.
Examples & Applications
A car accelerates uniformly from rest at 5 m/s² for 10 seconds leading to a final velocity of 50 m/s.
A truck changes velocity from 20 m/s to 60 m/s in 5 seconds, resulting in an acceleration of 8 m/s².
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
If you seek to know velocity's rate, remember it changes, don't hesitate!
Stories
Imagine a car on a ramp, it starts from rest, then feels the acceleration stamp and speeds up fast!
Memory Tools
Use 'VAC' to remember: Velocity = Acceleration times time + Initial speed.
Acronyms
VELOC - Velocity is changing, Emphasizing motion, Location, and Overall speed.
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Velocity
A vector quantity that denotes the rate of change of displacement with respect to time, incorporating both speed and direction.
- Acceleration
A vector quantity that represents the rate of change of velocity with respect to time.
- Displacement
The shortest distance from the initial to the final position of an object.
- Uniform Acceleration
When an object's acceleration remains constant over time.
- Final Velocity
The velocity of an object at the end of a time period.
Reference links
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