Sign of Area Under Velocity v. Time Graph: Help Me!

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of the area under velocity versus time graphs and acceleration versus time graphs, specifically focusing on the implications of positive and negative areas in terms of displacement and velocity changes.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the physical meaning of signed areas under the graphs, questioning how negative displacement relates to graphical representation. There is a discussion about whether negative areas correspond to being below the x-axis and what that implies for velocity and displacement.

Discussion Status

The conversation is ongoing, with some participants providing insights into the relationship between the sign of the area and physical interpretations. There is a lack of consensus on terminology and clarity around the concept of "signed" area, indicating that further exploration may be needed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are grappling with the definitions and implications of displacement and velocity in the context of their homework, which may involve specific constraints or assumptions about the graphs being analyzed.

bigbasherboy
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:confused: what is the physical meaning of the sign of the area under a velocity v. time graph (displacement) ??

what is the physical meaning of the sign of the area under a acceleration
v. time graph (velocity) ??

:confused:
please help me
 
Last edited:
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I'm not quite sure what you mean: area is always positive. Assuming you mean "signed" area (a bit of a strange terminology), the area under the velocity v time graph is "displacement"- distance moved. If that is positive, then you have moved in the positive direction, if negative you have moved in the negative direction.

"Area" under the acceleration v time graph is change in speed. If that is positive, speed has increased, if negative, speed has decreased.
 
ok i see, but let's say we have negitive displacement, does that mean the "area" would be graphed below the x-axis on a graph ?
 
bigbasherboy said:
ok i see, but let's say we have negitive displacement, does that mean the "area" would be graphed below the x-axis on a graph ?
Yes, because velocity "v" would be negative ("under the x-axis"), and the integral would yield a negative value (or "area") for displacement.


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