A motion sensor tracks a lab cart moving on a horizontal surface
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Motion in a Plane · Motion in a Plane
Problem
A motion sensor tracks a lab cart moving on a horizontal surface. At t = 2.50 s the sensor records the position components x = −0.450 m and y = +0.780 m relative to the origin. At the same instant the velocity components are vx = +0.600 m/s and vy = −1.40 m/s.
(a) Determine the magnitude of the cart’s position vector at t = 2.50 s.
(b) Find the angle that the position vector makes with the +x axis, measured counter-clockwise.
(c) Calculate the cart’s speed at that instant.
(d) Determine the angle of the velocity vector relative to the +x axis, measured counter-clockwise, and identify the quadrant for both position and velocity vectors.
(e) Compare the two angles obtained in parts (b) and (d) and explain what this comparison reveals about the cart’s motion relative to its position.