A small rescue drone moves in a horizontal plane

PHYSICS · Multi-part · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

A small rescue drone moves in a horizontal plane. Its coordinates (x,y)(x, y) relative to a command post are recorded at three times: • t=0 st = 0\,\text{s}: (−20 m,  30 m)(-20\,\text{m},\;30\,\text{m}) • t=4.0 st = 4.0\,\text{s}: (40 m,  50 m)(40\,\text{m},\;50\,\text{m}) • t=7.0 st = 7.0\,\text{s}: (70 m,  20 m)(70\,\text{m},\;20\,\text{m}) Neglect wind and assume motion is confined to the horizontal plane. (1) Determine the displacement vector of the drone for the interval 0≤t≤4.0 s0\le t\le4.0\,\text{s}. Express your answer in component form. (2) Calculate the average velocity vector for the interval 0≤t≤4.0 s0\le t\le4.0\,\text{s}. Include magnitude and direction measured counter-clockwise from the positive xx-axis. (3) Determine the average velocity vector for the interval 4.0≤t≤7.0 s4.0\le t\le7.0\,\text{s}. (4) Using your results from parts (b) and (c), compute the drone’s average acceleration vector for the entire interval 0≤t≤7.0 s0\le t\le7.0\,\text{s}. State the magnitude and direction of this acceleration. (5) Interpret physically what your calculated acceleration vector indicates about how the drone altered its motion after the first 4.0 s4.0\,\text{s}. Comment specifically on changes in both speed and direction.

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