Section 1.9: Conceptual Questions
This section presents conceptual questions on kinematics and related topics. Emphasis is on understanding principles rather than numerical calculations.
- If two objects fall from the same height in a vacuum, which reaches the ground first and why?
- Explain the difference between speed and velocity in your own words.
- How does the angle of a projectile affect its horizontal range?
- Why is it important to separate vectors into components when solving 2D motion problems?
- Explain why acceleration is zero when an object moves at constant velocity.
- Describe the significance of instantaneous velocity versus average velocity.
- How does friction influence the motion of objects on inclined planes?
- Why does a particle moving in a circle at constant speed still experience acceleration?
- Explain how derivatives of position relate to velocity and acceleration conceptually.
- Why is it useful to draw free-body diagrams in mechanics problems?
Practice Problems (Conceptual)
- Describe the motion of an object dropped from a moving vehicle. Consider both horizontal and vertical components.
- Explain how projectile motion would differ on the Moon compared to Earth.
- Compare the accelerations of two objects on inclined planes with different angles but same friction coefficient.
- Discuss why a car turning in a circle at constant speed still feels a "centrifugal" push.
- Explain how the slope of a velocity-time graph relates to acceleration.