Concept explainers
A small piece of paper is dropped and flutters to the floor. Is the piece of paper accelerating at any time during this motion? Explain.
Whether the piece of paper is accelerating at any time of the motion.
Answer to Problem 1CQ
The piece of paper is accelerating at all point of the time during its motion.
Explanation of Solution
The rate of change of velocity is called acceleration. Acceleration is a vector quantity, which contains both magnitude and direction.
When a piece of paper is dropped the initial velocity of the paper is zero. This is because the paper starts from rest. As the paper falls the gravity acts on the paper and the paper gets accelerated. Due to the presence of air resistance, the downward motion of the paper is not smooth and it begins to flutter. Fluttering is also indicates acceleration of the paper. Thus, the velocity of the falling paper changes and hence the paper attains the acceleration.
Conclusion:
Therefore, the piece of paper is accelerating at all point of the time during its motion.
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Chapter 3 Solutions
The Physics of Everyday Phenomena
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