- #1
Fizz_Geek
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Homework Statement
A particle travels from point A to point B following a semicircular path (a half-circle) of radius 5 m, and it travels at a constant speed of 1 m/s. Find the average acceleration of the particle.
Homework Equations
Average acceleration = change in velocity/ change in time
Total time = distance / speed
The Attempt at a Solution
I already know the answer, and I understand why it's true:
v0 = 1 m/s
vf = -1 m/s
total time = (5 pi m) / (1 m/s) = 5pi seconds
Avg acceleration = (2 / (5pi) ) m/s^2
My question is: Is the average acceleration ever equal to the (average velocity/ time) ? In this case, I know it's not because:
Avg velocity = displacement / time = 10 m / 5pi sec = (2/ pi) m/s
And, if I divided by the time, I would get a factor of pi^2 in the denominator, which is not in my original answer.
I would really appreciate any help sorting this out!