In other words, if I had unlimited knowledge of physics, why would I be here? ;)
I included the question here, as opposed to a new thread, to avoid having to rehash history, as stated above.
Happy to explain, kuruman. I try really hard not to question teachers in front of my son - after all, I want him to respect them. So I am seeking clarification on things outside of his knowledge and presence so that, if I'm right,we can approach the teacher respectfully, and if I'm wrong, I...
[mod note: OP is ok, ref: https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/basic-relative-motion-problem.887296/]
I can't figure out how to snap a picture and post here. So I'll try to explain the given scenario as best I can. Four distance versus time graphs are shown:
Graph 1 is a constant/straight...
How do I show the scenario without having to explain my 'I'm just a parent, not a student looking for free answers' situation again? Please know I would never wish for someone to lose their job or get in 'trouble' because of me, but I am worried that this will progress as we go on and snowball...
Thank you very much, Orodruin and Doc Al. I literally lost sleep trying to figure out why this answer was wrong. Now I have the uneviable task of trying to broach this with the teacher, without coming off as undermining and insulting. So far, polite suggestions like "oh, maybe you misread the...
EXACTLY! The alternative, as you stated, (4 m/s east) makes no common sense, even if I know nothing of physics (which I don't). The concern is, the EAST response came from an AP Physics teacher, and when questioned very nicely as to why it wouldn't be WEST, no attempt was made at all to reread...
My reasoning is this: since the bales were thrown at 3 m/s east relative to the tractor, as the tractor is still traveling at 7 m/s west relative to the ground, then the bales still have a velocity of 4 m/s to the west, relative to the ground. The bales would have to be thrown at a velocity...
Wow. I'm a parent of a physics student, trying to get clarification on a test response from a week ago - not playing some game or trying to trick people into doing homework. The insinuation is both inaccurate and insulting.
Answer = 4 m/s WEST
yes. so if we make the problem 'the tractor is moving 7m/s west, and the hay bale is thrown east at 3m/s,relative to the tractor' then what would be the answer?
the direction of the tractor is specified (west) and since the question asks for a direction, i would think that the teacher wants one. i know speed is scalar and velocity is vector, but here direction is required as part of the answer ...?