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====== Linear Acceleration ======

===== Prompts =====

** "What is the trajectory of a ball thrown straight up on the station
   platform, \\\\ as seen by a train going through the station?" **

** "What if the train is accelerating?" **

===== Context =====

//Estimated Time: 15 minutes, including wrap-up//

This [[strategy:smallwhiteboard:|SWBQ]] requires basic familiarity with
Newtonian mechanics for constant acceleration.  Students are asked to draw the
trajectory of a ball thrown straight up on the station platform as seen from a
train accelerating through the station, for several values of the (constant)
acceleration.

  * The accelerating case is (at first) counterintuitive.
  * This activity sets the stage for rotational acceleration.

===== Wrap Up =====

  * First discuss the case of zero acceleration, but nonzero velocity.
  * Then slowly increase the acceleration (opposite to the velocity).
  * Is a boomerang trajectory possible?
  * Which way does gravity (appear to) point on the train?
  * Show [[http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/~tevian/COURSES/ph429/2010/log/atrain.html|prepared pictures]] if appropriate.

See [[http://www.physics.oregonstate.edu/~tevian/COURSES/ph429/2010/log/atrain.html|this page]] for further discussion.


{{rflinacc.ppt|Powerpoint slide}}
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{{rflinacc.pdf|PDF slide}}

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