A bicycle moved from point A and then moved 50 m to the north in 60 seconds. The bicycle then moved 120 m to the east in 40 seconds. Finally, it stopped. Calculate the
1. Total distance moved by the bicycle
2. Displacement
3. Velocity
4. Average speed
5. Speed of the bicycle when it is moving to the north
Solution:
1. Total distance = 50m + 170m
= 170m
2. Displacement
Remember displacement is the shortest distance between two points.
Imagine A as the beginning of a triangle. Then connect it with a line of 50m upwards then it turns left 120m (go east). so the distance is the hypotenuse.
Using Pythagoras' theorem = Squared root (120^2 + 50^2)
= 130m
3. Velocity = Displacement / time
= 130 m / 100 s
= 1.3 m s^-1
4. Average speed of the bicycle = total distance / total time
= 170m/ 100s
= 1.7 m s^-1
5. Speed = distance / time
Distance = 50m, time = 60s
= 50m / 60s
= 0.83 ms^-1
Be careful during calculation as most of the time Physics requires a good skill in maths!!
Showing posts with label Distance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Distance. Show all posts
2013-12-08
2009-02-09
Distance, Displacement, Velocity, Speed and Acceleration
Distance and Displacement
Distance is the total path length traveled from one location to another. It is a scalar quantity.
Displacement is the distance between two locations measured along the shortest path connecting them, in specified location. It is a vector quantity. The SI unit of distance and displacement is metre (m).
Speed and Velocity
Speed is the distance traveled per unit time or the rate of change of distance.
Speed = total distance traveled / time taken
Velocity is the speed in a given direction or the rate of change of displacement.
Average velocity = displacement/ time taken
Acceleration and Deceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Acceleration = change of velocity / time taken
Change of velocity = final velocity (v) – initial velocity (u)
Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity) / time taken
= (v – u) / t
Things to remember:
1. Constant velocity means the object is not accelerating. Acceleration is zero.
2. Constant acceleration means the object is increasing its velocity.
Distance is the total path length traveled from one location to another. It is a scalar quantity.
Displacement is the distance between two locations measured along the shortest path connecting them, in specified location. It is a vector quantity. The SI unit of distance and displacement is metre (m).
Speed and Velocity
Speed is the distance traveled per unit time or the rate of change of distance.
Speed = total distance traveled / time taken
Velocity is the speed in a given direction or the rate of change of displacement.
Average velocity = displacement/ time taken
Acceleration and Deceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Acceleration = change of velocity / time taken
Change of velocity = final velocity (v) – initial velocity (u)
Acceleration = (final velocity – initial velocity) / time taken
= (v – u) / t
Things to remember:
1. Constant velocity means the object is not accelerating. Acceleration is zero.
2. Constant acceleration means the object is increasing its velocity.
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