It is common to see birds of prey rising upward on thermals. The paths they take

Question

It is common to see birds of prey rising upward on thermals. The paths they take may be spiral-like. You can model the spiral motion as uniform circular motion combined with a constant upward velocity. Assume a bird completes a circle of radius 6.00 mevery 5.00 s and rises vertically at a rate of 3.00 m/s.

Part A

Find the speed of the bird relative to the ground.

Express your answer using three significant figures.

Part B

Find the magnitude of the bird's acceleration.

Express your answer using three significant figures.

Part C

Find the direction of the bird's acceleration.

Express your answer using one significant figure.

Part D

Find the angle between the bird's velocity vector and the horizontal.

Express your answer using three significant figures.

Part D

Find the angle between the bird's velocity vector and the horizontal.

Express your answer using three significant figures.

Explanation / Answer

(A) UNIFORM CIRCULAR MOTION:
Circular velocity (not included upwards velocity), v
= (Circumference)/(Time taken)
= 2(pi)r/t
= 2 * pi * 6 / 5
= (12/5)pi = 7.54

Speed = sqrt[3^2 + 7.54^2] = 8.11 m/s

B) a = 4pi²(radius) / T² = 4pi²(6) / 5² = 9.475 m/s^2

C) the acceleration always points towards the radius point in a uniform circle.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse I
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.