Determining instantaneous velocity and average velocity using a graph.

In summary, the conversation discusses the position of a rabbit in a tunnel over time and how to determine its instantaneous and average velocity at certain times. The figure provided shows the plotted position of the rabbit. For determining instantaneous velocity, a slope is found by taking two points on the line at the given time. For average velocity, the formula (final position - initial position) / (final time - initial time) is used. The person asking for help is having difficulty finding the answers.
  • #1
Crescent
1
0
The position of a rabbit along a straight tunnel as a function of time is plotted in Fig. 2-26.
Here's the figure:
http://www.webassign.net/giancoli5/2_26.gif

Determine its instantaneous velocity at the following times.
(a) t = 5.0 s
(b) t = 30.0 s

Determine its average velocity between the following times.
(c) t = 0 and t = 5.0 s
(d) t = 25.0 s and t = 30.0 s
(e) t = 45.0 s and t = 50.0 sa) I tried to find the slope of the straight line through [0,20] seconds by taking two points in it and take delta x / delta t

b) I drrew a tangent line to the curve at t = 30 then find its slope.For c , d , & e the avg v is:

(Xfinal - Xinitial)/(t final - t initial)

but still, I could not find an answer for any of them. It seems as if nothing is working.
 
Last edited:
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  • #2
Welcome to PF!

Hi Crescent! Welcome to PF! :wink:

Show us what you've tried, and where you're stuck, and then we'll know how to help! :smile:
 
  • #3
Where is your working?
 

1. What is instantaneous velocity?

Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a specific moment in time. It is determined by calculating the slope of the tangent line to the position-time graph at that specific point.

2. How is instantaneous velocity calculated using a graph?

To calculate instantaneous velocity using a graph, you need to find the slope of the tangent line at a specific point on the graph. This can be done by choosing two points that are very close together on the graph and then finding the slope of the line that connects them using the slope formula.

3. What is average velocity?

Average velocity is the total displacement of an object divided by the total time taken. It is represented by the slope of the line connecting two points on a position-time graph.

4. How is average velocity determined using a graph?

To determine average velocity using a graph, you need to find the slope of the straight line connecting the initial and final position points on the graph. This can be done by using the slope formula.

5. What is the difference between instantaneous velocity and average velocity?

The main difference between instantaneous velocity and average velocity is that instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a specific moment in time, while average velocity is the overall velocity over a period of time. Instantaneous velocity is calculated using the slope of the tangent line at a specific point, while average velocity is calculated using the slope of the straight line between two points on a graph.

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