2006-12-11 02:49:04 · 7 answers · asked by sammnpm 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
When doing physics equations and calculations, it just means going in the other way. For example, let's say I have two masses going at different speeds. If I want to compute the velocity of the center of mass of the system, I have to know if they're both going in the same direction, or going opposite directions. Using negative velocities take care of that.
2006-12-11 02:53:17 · answer #1 · answered by Scythian1950 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Certain quantities cannot be fully understood unless the direction is given.
Such quantities are vectors.
If you ask one to move a table in the middle of the room, at once he will ask the direction to which the table is to be moved. Therefore, force is a vector quantity.
Velocity is a vector quantity and it has to be specified by its direction.
Direction is the angle from a reference line.
If the angle between two velocities (vectors) is zero then they are in the same direction.
If the angle between them is 180 degree, they are opposite to each other; in that case if one is positive then the other is negative.
Two vectors will be equal only if both the magnitude and direction are the same.
If any one of the two (either magnitude or direction) is different, then the two vectors are different.
2006-12-11 11:16:34 · answer #2 · answered by Pearlsawme 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strictly speaking, the COMPONENTS of a vector can be negative or positive, but not the vector itself.
The components of a vector change if you change your coordinates. I'm free to call either left or right the +x direction. A vector 1 m long pointing to the right always has a magnitude of 1 m, but its x component would be +1 m in one coordinate system and -1 m in the other.
A vector 1 m pointing to the left is the negative of the first vector, but neither vector is itself negative. Both have a postive magnitude, but opposite x components. But which one has a positive x component depends on with way you choose for you +x direction.
2006-12-11 11:21:13 · answer #3 · answered by Tim F 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes velocity can be negative if the body is moving from right to left.
By convention left to right is taken as the positive direction and thus right to left is the negative direction.
2006-12-12 07:24:38 · answer #4 · answered by SHUBHANGI 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hmm velocity is speed with direction Vector
now vector can be negative making velocity negative...
2006-12-11 11:00:03 · answer #5 · answered by rocks_life 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
If from point "A" to point "B" is positive then Point "B" to "A" is negative.
Velocity is a vector, so any change in any component is the change in velocity.
Vector has two components, Magnitude and the Direction.
2006-12-11 15:00:06 · answer #6 · answered by minootoo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
velocity is a directional quantity ..
where as speed is non directional..
so if we have two speeds acting on 180 degree
of each other ..
and if we consider speed with direction then one of the speed
is taken as repference and other one is called negative velocity.
2006-12-11 11:05:18 · answer #7 · answered by ramesh c 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋