A puck is moving on an air hockey table. Relative to an x, y coordinate system at time t = 0 s, the x components of the puck's initial velocity and acceleration are v0x = +2.2 m/s and ax = +2.5 m/s2. The y components of the puck's initial velocity and acceleration are v0y = +7.3 m/s and ay = -6.2 m/s2. Find (a) the magnitude v and (b) the direction θ of the puck's velocity at a time of t = 0.50 s. Specify the direction relative to the +x axis.

Answer 1

vx = 2.2 + (2.5 * 0.50) = 3.5 m/s

vy = 7.3 - (6.2 * 0.50) = 4.2 m/s

(a) v^2 = vx^2 + vy^2 = 3.5^2 + 4.2^2

(b) tan(θ) = vy / vx = 4.2 / 3.5