Physlet Illustration: Two Dimensional Motion With Constant Velocity

 

 

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The blue ball moves with constant velocity across the floor.  The distance grid is in cm, and the times are shown in seconds. Can you determine the x- and y- components of the velocity of the ball?

Hints

  1. Choose a specific time interval in the animation, that is, specific starting and stopping times.
  2. Measure the ball's x- and y-positions at the starting time and again at the stopping time.
  3. Divide the changes in positions by the time it takes to undergo that change.
  4. How would you calculate the overall speed (the magnitude of the velocity)?

Reference

See Walker, Section 4-1

Illustration written by Chuck Niederriter