1. considering v = vo + at
(the o is a subscript)
If the acceleration is constant, WHY will velocity increase at a constant rate over time and WHY will a plot of velocity vs. time be linear with positive slope?
2. how should i even know if acceleration is constant? why exactly is it constant anyway? apparently, from the info below, i should assume acceleration is constant, velocity is increasing, and the plot would be linear and positive????
this is what im given: In an Ion propulsion system (IPS), ions of the noble gas Xenon are accelerated by an electrical field and ejected from a thruster at high velocity. The IPS fires continuously at maximum thrust and that the mass of Deep Space 1 is constant.
when you say, “They say that the thrust is constant, so that the force is constant. Also, they say m is constant. So, since
F = ma,
or a = F/m,
then a will be constant.”
I gotta ask, how can F, m, and a all be constant? are they all constant?
also, when you say, “you have a = F/m, but if m decreases so will a”….
I thought if m decreases, a will increase….???
