Average Velocity on a Position vs Time Graph

In summary, the average velocities for the given time intervals are 5 ms-1, 2.5 ms-1, 0, 5 ms-1, 5 ms-1, and -2.5 ms-1 respectively.
  • #1
mandy9008
127
1
A graph of position versus time for a certain particle moving along the x-axis is shown in the figure below. Find the average velocity in the following time intervals. (The horizontal axis is marked in increments of 1 s and the vertical axis is marked in increments of 2 m.)



avg velocity = change in x / change in y



a. v= 2/10 = 0.2
b. v= 4/5 - 0.8
c. v= 2/0 = 0
d. v= 3/10 = 0.3
e. v= 8/5 = 1.6
 

Attachments

  • pvt graph.gif
    pvt graph.gif
    10.5 KB · Views: 1,736
  • Like
Likes klark virtuso
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
mandy9008 said:
A graph of position versus time for a certain particle moving along the x-axis is shown in the figure below. Find the average velocity in the following time intervals. (The horizontal axis is marked in increments of 1 s and the vertical axis is marked in increments of 2 m.)



I think your calculation is in correct. For example ,
between 0 to 2s, particle is moving with constant acceleration. So you should use
v(bar)=(u+v)/2=(10+0)/2=5ms-1
 
  • #3
I am sorry. I thought velocity-time graph. It is displacement- time graph. For displace-time graph,

average velocity=(x2-x1)/(t2-t1)

For example ,
0 to 2s,
average velocity=10/2=5 ms-1
2 to 4s
average velocity=(10-5)/2= 2.5 ms-1
4 to 5s
average velocity=0
5 to 7s
average velocity=5 ms-1
7 to 8s
average velocity=10/2=5 ms-1
 

1. What is average velocity on a position vs time graph?

Average velocity on a position vs time graph is the average rate at which an object changes its position over a specific time interval. It can be calculated by finding the slope of the line connecting two points on the graph.

2. How is average velocity different from instantaneous velocity?

Average velocity is calculated over a specific time interval, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a specific moment in time. In other words, average velocity gives an overall picture of an object's motion, while instantaneous velocity only describes its motion at a specific point in time.

3. Does a steeper line on a position vs time graph always mean a higher average velocity?

No, the steepness of a line on a position vs time graph does not always indicate the average velocity of an object. The slope of the line depends on the units used for time and position, so a steeper line may not necessarily mean a higher average velocity.

4. How is average velocity affected by changes in position and time?

Average velocity is affected by changes in both position and time. As the time interval increases, the average velocity decreases because the object has more time to cover the distance. Similarly, if the position change increases, the average velocity also increases because the object is covering a larger distance in the same amount of time.

5. Can average velocity be negative on a position vs time graph?

Yes, average velocity can be negative on a position vs time graph. This indicates that the object is moving in the negative direction, or in the opposite direction of the positive direction on the graph. It is important to pay attention to the signs and directions when interpreting average velocity on a position vs time graph.

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
859
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
811
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
145
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
11
Views
951
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
338
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
2
Views
431
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
25
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
1K
Back
Top