TWO MOTIONS - one path in space
- Author:
- Judah L Schwartz
Objects that move differently can end up tracing the same trajectory in space.
Here are the paths that were traced by two such objects.
They each traversed the same parabola in space.
What becomes clear when you look at where they were at discrete times during their motion is the fact that they moved differently in time.
For each of the motions, can you sketch the vertical and horizontal position as a function of time?
For each of the motions, can you sketch the vertical and horizontal velocity as a function of time?
Can you suggest physical situations that might give rise to these two different motions?
What other questions could/would you ask your students based on this applet?