Motion in 2D Open this simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/motion

Question

Motion in 2D

Open this simulation: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/motion-2d

1. Which arrow represents acceleration and which represents velocity? How do you know?

2. At what point (what is happening) does the acceleration arrow go in the same direction as the velocity arrow?

3. Describe acceleration and velocity when the object is traveling in a circular path.

4.   When the object is finishing traveling in a straight line, which way is the acceleration arrow is facing in relation the velocity arrow? Why?

5.   Describe what is happening to the object when traveling in simple harmonic motion. Your description should include position, velocity and acceleration.

Explanation / Answer

1) BLUE colour arrow represents Acceleration & GREEN colour arrow represent Velocity.

direction of velocity is always along the displacement by draging ball in one particular direction you can see that green arrow is pointing towards only in one direction along dragging direction {along displacement } while direction of blue is variable so green is velocity & other i.e blue is acceleration.

alternatively you can see circular path simulation green is always along tangent { along displacement } & blue is along centre of circular path.

so blue is representing acceleration { here centripetal acceleration } & green is representing velocity.

2) acceleration arrow is sometimes go in the same direction as velocity arrow just next moment it go opposite to the velocity arrow hence direction of acceleration arrow is variable.

3) velocity arrow & acceleration arrow is perpendicular to each other.

velocity is always directed towards tangent & acceleration arrow is always towards centre of the circular path.

4) acceleration is directly opposite to the velocity. as blue arrow is directly opposite to the green arrow.

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