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VCE Stuff => VCE Science => VCE Mathematics/Science/Technology => VCE Subjects + Help => VCE Physics => Topic started by: ghadz7 on June 07, 2010, 02:48:06 pm

Title: value of g on the exam
Post by: ghadz7 on June 07, 2010, 02:48:06 pm
What happens if you take g as -10 m/s^2? Do you lose marks?
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: dyaner on June 07, 2010, 02:52:43 pm
Don't take my word but I think you can, if you specify what direction the positive is. Someone kindly clarify this for me please.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: kyzoo on June 07, 2010, 02:53:21 pm
y would u lose marks for that? As long as it fits into the context of the question then its fine.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: ks04 on June 07, 2010, 02:54:47 pm
I presume you mean rather then 9.8m.sec^2 - it actually says on the cover page which you can download on the VCAA website it says "You should take the value of g to be 10 m s–2"

as to whether it's positive or not depends on what you define as positive. eg. accelleration of vertical motion for projectile motion should be -10m.s-2 as the force is acting downwards.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: cameron_15 on June 07, 2010, 03:18:58 pm
as to whether it's positive or not depends on what you define as positive. eg. accelleration of vertical motion for projectile motion should be -10m.s-2 as the force is acting downwards.

I don't think it matters either way. as long as your answer is logical. Ie you don't have negative time!

Basically, just draw a little diagram that says Which way you are assigning positive.

Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: dyaner on June 07, 2010, 03:23:40 pm
as to whether it's positive or not depends on what you define as positive. eg. accelleration of vertical motion for projectile motion should be -10m.s-2 as the force is acting downwards.

I don't think it matters either way. as long as your answer is logical. Ie you don't have negative time!

Basically, just draw a little diagram that says Which way you are assigning positive.



Yes. I agree with this.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: Akirus on June 07, 2010, 07:24:29 pm
I presume you mean rather then 9.8m.sec^2 - it actually says on the cover page which you can download on the VCAA website it says "You should take the value of g to be 10 m s–2"

as to whether it's positive or not depends on what you define as positive. eg. accelleration of vertical motion for projectile motion should be -10m.s-2 as the force is acting downwards.

You can use 9.8 or 10, they won't deduct marks for that. Don't see why you would choose to use 9.8, though.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: TrueTears on June 07, 2010, 07:28:47 pm
yeah just check the cover page, they should tell you what value of g to use.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: ghadz7 on June 07, 2010, 07:29:58 pm
You have to use 10, but the direction is my concern.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: Twenty10 on June 07, 2010, 07:32:46 pm
you dont HAVE to use 10...but why wouldnt you?
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: TrueTears on June 07, 2010, 07:35:45 pm
You have to use 10, but the direction is my concern.
oh i was gonna mention direction from ur first post but i thought u knew about it

anyways its just definitions, define ur + and -, shud be fine.
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: kyzoo on June 07, 2010, 07:35:57 pm
You have to use 10, but the direction is my concern.

If the projectile is launched with a velocity that has an upwards component, I don't see how you can avoid using g = -10m/s^2
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: Akirus on June 07, 2010, 07:38:23 pm
You have to use 10, but the direction is my concern.

Did you read my post? You don't, but you should.

As long as you don't answer a question with negative as the direction (state specifically), it'll be fine (of course, assuming your working out is logical as well).
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: ghadz7 on June 07, 2010, 07:54:28 pm
You could define upwards as negative if you're the kind of person that likes to complicate stuff on themselves (my teacher).
Title: Re: value of g on the exam
Post by: TrueTears on June 07, 2010, 08:02:47 pm
You could define upwards as negative if you're the kind of person that likes to complicate stuff on themselves (my teacher).
nope, setting up as negative is not always complication, it depends on the number of vectors pointing up, if more vectors are pointing down than down, defining negative as up would be a simplification as u have to deal with negatives less