acceleration = dv/dt?
- Thread starter K.I.L.E.R
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CosmoKramer
Newcomer
a = dv/dt, this is always correct
a = v/t only if a is constant and v0 = 0.
a = v/t only if a is constant and v0 = 0.
I miss physics class.
K.I.L.E.R said:
Yes, dv/dt is always the acceleration, but dv/dt and delta-v/delta-t aren't the same thing formally speaking (you can thank Mr Newton and his new-fangled calculus for the distinction).
So say to determine the acceleration experimentally you'd measure the speed of the car (V1, V2) at two points in time (T1, T2), then a = (V2-V1)/(T2-T1) would give you an estimate of the average acceleration of the car during that time interval.
But by using that equation you'd be assuming that the acceleration was constant throughout that time interval. This assumption may or may not be correct, and it may or may not matter that the assumption is correct, it really all depends how accurate you want to be.
Thing is, it's force that leads to acceleration, and acceleration leads to a change in velocity. Acceleration isn't caused by a change in velocity. So in using v/t, or delta-v/delta-t you're effectively measuring the acceleration, not calculating it from first principles.
K.I.L.E.R said:
With a name like that, you wouldn't think he's the little genius he is...
Monty said:london-boy said:K.I.L.E.R said:
With a name like that, you wouldn't think he's the little genius he is...
but dont all geniuses look nuts.
I look ok.
DudeMiester
Regular
Monty said:london-boy said:K.I.L.E.R said:
With a name like that, you wouldn't think he's the little genius he is...
but dont all geniuses look nuts.
anyway, acceleration gets more interesting when A isnt constant.
I seem perfectly normal, until I start to talk. In other news, I have a rather painful burn on my arm. Also, here's some interesting physics for you http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/~baraff/pbm/pbm.html
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