Linear Acceleration

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity.[br][br][math]\vec{a}=\frac{\Delta\vec{v}}{\Delta t}[/math][br][br][math]\Delta\vec{v}=\vec{v_f}-\vec{v_i}[/math][br][br][math]\Delta v+v_i=v_f[/math][br][br]We can see that a new velocity v[math]v_f[/math] can be found by adding [math]\Delta v[/math] to the original velocity [math]v_i[/math]. [br][br]In this simulation, the velocity at any time, the instantaneous velocity, is represented by a black arrow. The acceleration is show by a red arrow. ( a red dot or block dot means the value is 0).[br][br]The scale on the x axis is velocity in the x-direction. It is originally set to 1.0 m/s (hit reset app icon at top right) and is therefore 1 unit on the x-axis. [br]
1. Set the velocity to 1.0 m/s and the acceleration to 0 [math]\frac{m}{s^2}[/math][size=100]. [/size]Click the start button. What happens to the velocity?
2. Set the acceleration to + 1.0 [math]\frac{m}{s^2}[/math]. Notice the acceleration vector is 1 unit long now as well. Acceleration is the change in velocity per unit of time. If we move time forward by 1.0 s. The velocity(vel) vector should become 1.0 m/s longer. Try it.
3. Try without the applet first, then check. [br][br] a. What will happen to the length of the red acceleration vector if you increase a to +2?[br][br] b What will happen to the length of the black velocity vector after 1.0 s?[br][br] c. What will happen to the length of the black velocity vector after 4.0 s?
2. Set the acceleration to +2.0 m/s[sup]2 [/sup]and keep the initial velocity at 1.0 m/s. How much will the velocity change after 1.0 s, 2.0 s, 3.5 s? (Hint: acceleration is the change in velocity per second)
4. Keep the acceleration at 2.0 m/s[sup]2 [/sup]and change the initial velocity to -2.0 m/s. [br][br]a. What will be the length of the acceleration vector? What direction will it be pointing?[br][br]b. What will be the length of the black velocity vector after 1.0 s?[br][br]c. What will be the length of the black velocity vector after 3.0 s?[br]
5. A car travelling at 10.0 m/s East accelerates at 5.0 m/s[sup]2[/sup] East. How much will the velocity change in 3.0 s?
6. A car travelling at 10.0 m/s East accelerates at 5.0 m/s[sup]2 [/sup]East. What will be the velocity after 3.0 s?
7. A car travelling at 10.0 m/s [b]West[/b] accelerates at 5.0 m/s[sup]2 [/sup]East. What will be the velocity after 3.0 s?
Close
– Matt Dyck

Information: Linear Acceleration