Velocity and acceleration vectors for a particle at different times (picture prob)

I have several pictures similar to the one provided in that attached word doc. The question is:

The picture shows the velocity and acceleration vectors for a particle at different times. (The particle is moving in the plane of the paper.) Tell whether aT (a subscript T) is negative, zero, or positive. Also, tell whether aN (a subscript N) is zero or positive. If aN is positive tell whether the velocity vector is rotating clockwise or counterclockwise.

I am not sure how to picture this to determine whats going on in this picture. Or If I should arrange these vectors to see them differently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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Originally Posted by acasas4

I have several pictures similar to the one provided in that attached word doc. The question is:

The picture shows the velocity and acceleration vectors for a particle at different times. (The particle is moving in the plane of the paper.) Tell whether aT (a subscript T) is negative, zero, or positive. Also, tell whether aN (a subscript N) is zero or positive. If aN is positive tell whether the velocity vector is rotating clockwise or counterclockwise.

I am not sure how to picture this to determine whats going on in this picture. Or If I should arrange these vectors to see them differently. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

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all that I see in your vector sketch is a single velocity vector pointing "east" , and a single acceleration vector pointing roughly "northeast".

what are the meanings of the subscripts T and N ... Tangential and Normal?

Seems to me that there is more to this question that has been left out ... maybe?

Skeeter, it is Tangential and Normal. Other than that this is all the info I was provided. I apologize for not stating this initially.
Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by acasas4

Skeeter, it is Tangential and Normal. Other than that this is all the info I was provided. I apologize for not stating this initially.
Thanks

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is the motion circular, or along a general curve?

I am going to assume just a general curve.

well, you can't tell much if the two given vectors are for different times. had the two vectors been for the same time, then you could sketch the tangential and normal components of acceleration.