How to Find Velocity-Time Graph from Position-Time Graph?

In summary: If you are looking at a curve, you can also approximate the slope using tangent lines. It may seem difficult at first, but with practice, it will become easier. Hope this helps!
  • #1
teetar
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0

Homework Statement


Not too necessary to follow this format, but here is my question: I know I probably shouldn't ask such a simple question, but how do I find a velocity-time graph from a position-time graph? I know it's just slope, but I'm looking at a curve, and I don't want to differentiate it. I also know that this is probably not as difficult as I'm making it, but I'm completely blanking on this one. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


N/A
 
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  • #2
teetar said:

Homework Statement


Not too necessary to follow this format, but here is my question: I know I probably shouldn't ask such a simple question, but how do I find a velocity-time graph from a position-time graph? I know it's just slope, but I'm looking at a curve, and I don't want to differentiate it. I also know that this is probably not as difficult as I'm making it, but I'm completely blanking on this one. Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thanks guys!

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


N/A

You are right that it is the slope at each point, so just look at delta-y / delta-x at each point.
 

1. How do you read a velocity-time graph?

A velocity-time graph shows the relationship between an object's velocity and time. The slope of the graph at any point represents the object's acceleration. The steeper the slope, the greater the acceleration. The direction of the slope indicates whether the object is moving in a positive or negative direction.

2. How do you find the average velocity from a position-time graph?

To find the average velocity from a position-time graph, you can calculate the slope of the line connecting the initial and final positions. This slope represents the average velocity over that time interval. Alternatively, you can divide the change in position by the change in time to find the average velocity.

3. What does a horizontal line on a velocity-time graph indicate?

A horizontal line on a velocity-time graph indicates that the object's velocity is constant. This means that the object is not accelerating and is moving at a constant speed in either the positive or negative direction.

4. How do you determine the acceleration from a velocity-time graph?

The acceleration can be determined by calculating the slope of the velocity-time graph at any given point. If the slope is constant, then the acceleration is constant. If the slope changes, then the acceleration is changing. The units for acceleration on a velocity-time graph are typically meters per second squared (m/s²).

5. How do you interpret the area under a velocity-time graph?

The area under a velocity-time graph represents the displacement of an object over a given time interval. This is because the area under the line represents the distance traveled, and the slope of the line represents the object's velocity. Therefore, by finding the area under the graph, you can determine the total displacement of the object during that time interval.

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