Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Problem 5

You're a passenger in a car rounding a curve. The driver claims the car isn't accelerating because the speedometer reading is unchanging. Explain why the driver is wrong.

Short Answer

Expert verified
The car is indeed accelerating, despite the constant speed. This is because acceleration concerns changes in velocity, which comprises both speed and direction. As the car rounds a curve, it changes direction, resulting in an altered velocity and thus, acceleration.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding the Situation

Realize that you are in a moving car that is rounding a curve. While the speedometer might be reading a constant speed, it's essential to remember that in statistical physics, speed isn't the only factor contributing to acceleration.
02

Understanding Velocity and Acceleration

Understand that velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both a magnitude (speed) and a direction. Acceleration, then, is dictated by any change in this velocity vector.
03

Applying the Concept to the Situation

Recognize that even though the car is maintaining a constant speed (the magnitude of the velocity), it is changing direction as it rounds the curve. This change in direction equates to a change in the velocity vector, thus indicating that an acceleration is present even though the speed is constant.

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Start your free trial

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

A car drives north at \(40 \mathrm{mi} / \mathrm{h}\) for 10 min, then turns east and goes \(5.0 \mathrm{mi}\) at \(60 \mathrm{mi} / \mathrm{h} .\) Finally, it goes southwest at \(30 \mathrm{milh}\) for 6.0 min. Determine the car's (a) displacement and (b) average velocity for this trip.

You're sailboarding at \(6.5 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) when a wind gust hits, lasting \(6.3 \mathrm{s}\) accelerating your board at \(0.48 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}^{2}\) at \(35^{\circ}\) to your original direction. Find the magnitude and direction of your displacement during the gust.

Estimate the acceleration of the Moon, which completes a nearly circular orbit of \(385,000 \mathrm{km}\) radius in 27 days.

Vector \(A\) has magnitude \(3.0 \mathrm{m}\) and points to the right; vector \(B\) has magnitude \(4.0 \mathrm{m}\) and points vertically upward. Find the magnitude and direction of vector \(\vec{C}\) such that \(\vec{A}+\vec{B}+\vec{C}=\overrightarrow{0}\)

A flock of geese is attempting to migrate due south, but the wind is blowing from the west at \(5.1 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\). If the birds can fly at \(7.5 \mathrm{m} / \mathrm{s}\) relative to the air, what direction should they head?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Magnetism

Read Explanation

Work Energy and Power

Read Explanation

Rotational Dynamics

Read Explanation

Wave Optics

Read Explanation

Electricity and Magnetism

Read Explanation

Geometrical and Physical Optics

Read Explanation
View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free