Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3rd Edition by Randall Knight, Chapter 1 Conceptual Question 7


Determine the signs (positive or negative) of the position, velocity, and acceleration for the particle in Figure Q1.7.

Figure Q1.7

Solution:

The particle position is below zero on the y-axis, so its position is negative. The particle is moving up, so its velocity is positive. The particle’s speed is increasing as it moves in the positive direction, so its acceleration vector points in the same direction as its velocity vector (i.e., up). Thus, the acceleration is also positive.

PositionNegative
VelocityPositive
AccelerationPositive

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