What is Velocity vs. time: Definition and 23 Discussions

The velocity of an object is the rate of change of its position with respect to a frame of reference, and is a function of time. Velocity is equivalent to a specification of an object's speed and direction of motion (e.g. 60 km/h to the north). Velocity is a fundamental concept in kinematics, the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies.
Velocity is a physical vector quantity; both magnitude and direction are needed to define it. The scalar absolute value (magnitude) of velocity is called speed, being a coherent derived unit whose quantity is measured in the SI (metric system) as metres per second (m/s or m⋅s−1). For example, "5 metres per second" is a scalar, whereas "5 metres per second east" is a vector. If there is a change in speed, direction or both, then the object has a changing velocity and is said to be undergoing an acceleration.

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  1. computing

    Has this particle exceeded 30 km/h on a velocity vs. time graph?

    hi how can i draw velocity - time graph to determine whetere this particle has ever exceeeded the 30 km/h velocity or not ?
  2. G

    Acceleration and Displacement from a Velocity vs. Time Graph

    Please could I ask for help with the following question: Part (a) is no problem. Acceleration is the gradient of the graph in regions OA and AB which gives 3 and 0.5 Part (b), I believe, requires me to calculate the greatest and least value of the gradient of the curve in region BC Part...
  3. A

    Quick Question about Pendulum Graphs

    Hi everyone. I just have a very quick question regarding position time graphs and velocity time graphs for a pendulum. As we know, at the maximum displacement, the acceleration is at its maximum and the velocity is zero, and vice versa when the displacement is zero. When we put this...
  4. I

    What is the total displacement?

    Homework Statement So there are two rhinos chasing each other back and forth, Asha and her dad. What is Asha's total displacement at each point in increasing order(least to greatest)?[/B] Asha's velocity is represented by II and her position at A:30, B:25, C:22, D:25, E:37. Homework...
  5. A

    How to find maximum force on a velocity vs time graph

    The velocity versus time graph is the following: http://imgur.com/kyebx8H As the title asks, how would you find the maximum force on a velocity vs time graph given nothing but the graph and the mass of the object in question. My reasoning was that since f = ma and m is never changing, that...
  6. P

    Finding Distance from the Origin Given Velocity Graph

    Homework Statement A rocket-powered hockey puck move along a horizontal friction-less table. The figure (link posted below) shows the graphs of vx and vy, the x- and y- components of the puck's velocity. The puck starts at the origin. How far from the origin is the puck at 4 seconds? Here is...
  7. K

    Going from position vs. time to velocity vs. time

    I attached the info that I need help with I am really struggling and the lines that are drawn in red are my guesses. PLEASE HELP!
  8. M

    Graphing Oscillating Objects: Can You Find the Spring Constant?

    How could you graph a potential energy vs. time graph only knowing the position vs. time graph and the velocity vs time graph for a hanging object oscillating up and down on a string?
  9. C

    Velocity Vs. Time Graph Extension Help

    [b]1. The problem statement So I am currently working on an velocity/acceleration lab. My physics teacher requires each lab group to find an extension that goes above and beyond the question that we are supposed to answer with the lab. Each group also needs evidence to prove the extension...
  10. P

    Troubleshooting a Velocity vs. Time Graph: Position at t=10

    We are given a velocity vs. time graph. It starts at 15 m/s at t=0 and goes to -10m/s at t=4 then it goes from -10m/s at t=4 to 15m/s at t=10 and we are told to find the postion after t=10 I first found the slope of the first segment which was -6.25. so I did ∫-6.25t+15 dt from 0 to 4 and...
  11. H

    How do you go from a position vs. time graph to a velocity vs. time graph?

    And visa versa. And I'm only in 9th grade, so please don't give me any complicated answers or links. I just want to know simple stuff like, "If there is a straight horizontal line in a velocity vs. time graph, how would that look like on a position vs. time graph?" Basically, I just want to know...
  12. A

    Where Did Bill Go Wrong? Tips for Correctly Drawing Velocity vs. Time Graphs

    i am trying to do my physics lab tutorial homework and i am confused about a question that asks.. bill got his distance and acceleration graph right but drew the incorrect velocity vs. time graph shown here. velocity | | / | |\ | / | | \ |_ /__|______...
  13. K

    Finding velocity vs. time, when acceleration is dependent on velocity

    Hello all. I have been struggling with this for a bit. I will present it as generally as I can. Say I have an object with an initial velocity v0. It is only acted upon by an acceleration function, a(v), which is a function of v. How can I find a function for v(t)? Does this require a...
  14. 1

    Velocity vs. Time Graphical Interpretation

    Homework Statement 1) Time = 0 to 2.5s a. What is the velocity during this time? b. Determine the displacement traveled during this time. c. What is the acceleration during this time? 2) Time = 5.5 to 10s a. What is the velocity during this time? b. Determine the...
  15. K

    Bouncing Ball Problem, velocity vs. time

    This is my first college physics class and I am feeling a little challenged, since it is the start and all. I took physics in high school and am a bit rusty. I appreciate any help. Homework Statement The vertical component of the velocity of a bouncing ball is shown in the graph below (graph...
  16. H

    How Do You Analyze a Velocity vs. Time Graph for Particle Motion?

    Homework Statement The graph is: http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af79/huybinhs/Lastproblem.gif A particle moves along the x-axis. The velocity of this particle as a function of time is shown in the figure. Assume the particle is located at x = 0 m at time t = 0 s. 1. What is the...
  17. L

    Velocity vs. Time with Uniform Acceleration and Braking Rate

    Homework Statement A sportscar, Fiasco I, can accelerate uniformly to 68 m/s in 30 s. Its maximum braking rate cannot exceed 0.75g. What is the minimum time required to go 1300 m, assuming the car begins and ends at rest? (Hint: A graph of velocity vs. time can be helpful.) Homework Equations...
  18. H

    Velocity vs Time: Exploring Interstellar Travel

    This has been bothering me. As you will know, when something reaches the speed of light, its speed in time slows down. So I have been wondering, if we were to develope intersteller light speed travel and could move at the speed of light we would reach proximus Centuri in 4.3 years. But...
  19. 1

    Finding the greatest distance from the origin given a velocity vs. time graph.

    Homework Statement If given a velocity vs. time graph where max. constant velocity is 2m/s for 2s and the object turns around at 4s with max negative constant velocity is -2m/s for 2s. How do i find the greatest distance from the origin? Homework Equations d= vi+vf/2 *t d=vit +...
  20. R

    Finding the x component from a velocity vs. time graph

    First-time poster here. Homework Statement A little cat, Bella, walks in a straight line, which we shall call the x axis, with the positive direction to the right. As an observant scientist, you make measurements of her motion and construct a graph of the little feline's velocity as a...
  21. C

    Very trick velocity vs. time graph

    Very tricky velocity vs. time graph Homework Statement Doing a very basic lab on force and motion and ran into a snag with a graph. It's a very wildly changing acceleration graph, and I'm unsure how to proceed with the matching velocity graph. I know that a curved acceleration graph would...
  22. N

    Velocity vs Time Graph: Does Resultant Force Follow y=1/x?

    On a graph such as below: http://www.gcsescience.com/Velocity-Time-Graph-Rocket.gif Would the graph of resultant force vs. time be of a shape similar to the curve of "y=1/x" in the positive quadrant? I make this assumption, since the gradient of the v vs. t graph is decreasing, therefore...
  23. J

    What Units Should Acceleration Be Measured In?

    the x-axis is in minutes, the y-axis is in m/min. I know that the acceleration = the slope. should my final answer be in m/min^2 ? or should acceleration always be in m/s^2 ? or does it not matter? :confused: thanks :smile:
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