Homework Help Forum: AP physics

Posted by annemarie on Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 1:06pm.

A glider on an air track carries a flag of length through a stationary photogate that measures the time interval [box]td during which the flag blocks a beam of infrared light passing across the gate. The ratio vd = l(italicized)/[box]td is the average velocity of the glider over this part of its motion. Suppose the glider moves with constant acceleration. (a) Argue for or the against idea that vd is equal to the instantaneous velocity of the glider when it is halfway through the photogate in terms of distance. (b) Argue for or against the idea that vd is equal to the instantaneous velocity of the glider when it is halfway through the photogate in terms of time.

• AP physics - drwls, Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 1:15pm

  Assuming a constant friction force, which is reasonable, the velocity will decrease linearly with time. In such a situation, the instantaneous velocity is the velocity at the middle of the time interval.

  
  

• AP physics - annemarie, Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 2:27pm

  I still don't get it. could you answer (a) and (b) in two parts.

  
  

• AP physics - annemarie, Sunday, August 9, 2009 at 2:31pm

  and the flag is of length l(italicized)

  
  

Answer this Question

First Name:
School Subject:
Answer: