Log out Go to App
Go to App

Learning Materials

Features

Discover

Chapter 3: Q2. (page 67)

Can you conclude that a car is not accelerating if its speedometer indicates a steady60km/h? Explain.

Short Answer

Expert verified

No, based on the speedometer reading, you cannot conclude that a car is not accelerating.

Step by step solution

01

Step 1. Definitions of velocity and acceleration

Velocity and acceleration are vector quantities. Velocity is defined as the rate of change of displacement of an object with time, and acceleration is defined as the time rate of change of velocity.

The SI units of velocity and acceleration are m/sand m/s2, respectively.

02

Step 2. Analysis of the car’s acceleration

A speedometer measures only the speed of a car. In the given case, it indicates that the car is moving at a constant speed of 60km/h. However, it does not mean that the car also has a constant velocity.

If the car travels along a curve or a winding road, its direction will change even at the same speed (60km/h). And it will also have some acceleration.

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

The cliff divers of Acapulco push off horizontally from rock platforms about 35 m above the water, but they must clear rocky outcrops at water level that extend out into the water 5.0 m from the base of the cliff directly under their launch point. See Fig. 3–53. What minimum push-off speed is necessary to clear the rocks? How long are they in the air?

A hunter aims directly at a target (on the same level) 38.0 m away. (a) If the arrow leaves the bow at a speed of 23.1 m/s, by how much will it miss the target? (b) At what angle should the bow be aimed so the target will be hit?

If you are riding on a train that speeds past another train moving in the same direction on an adjacent track, it appears that the other train is moving backward. Why?

For the vectors shown in Fig. 3–35, determine (a)A→-B→+C→, (b).A→+B→-C→, and(c)C→-A→-B→.

FIGURE 3-35

William Tell must split the apple on top of his son’s head from a distance of 27 m. When William aims directly at the apple, the arrow is horizontal. At what angle should he aim the arrow to hit the apple if the arrow travels at a speed of 35 m/s?
See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

Radiation

Read Explanation

Electricity

Read Explanation

Wave Optics

Read Explanation

Physical Quantities And Units

Read Explanation

Further Mechanics and Thermal Physics

Read Explanation

Mechanics and Materials

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