Calculate the terminal velocity from a displacement-time graph?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating terminal velocity using a displacement-time graph, with participants exploring the relationship between displacement and velocity in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definition of terminal velocity and its relationship to acceleration. There is confusion about whether the gradient of the displacement-time graph directly represents terminal velocity, especially in the absence of additional parameters like mass or drag.

Discussion Status

The conversation is active, with various interpretations of how to approach the problem. Some participants suggest focusing on the maximum gradient of the graph, while others clarify the conditions under which terminal velocity is reached.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of information regarding mass, drag, and density, which are typically relevant for calculating terminal velocity. This constraint influences their reasoning about the use of the displacement-time graph.

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Hi

Can someone please explain how I can calculate the terminal velocity from a displacement-time graph? I'm only finding solutions to velocity-time graphs, but that's not what I need.

Thanks in advance.
 
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What is the definition of terminal velocity?
 
EDIT:removed... too much explaining
 
Last edited:
I understand terminal velocity to be the velocity reached by a falling body when it experiences zero acceleration... All I have is the displacement and time to work with and I know that the gradient of the graph will give me the velocity. I'm just confused if the value I'll get for the gradient is actually the terminal velocity I'm being asked for or not. When I've looked this up, I'm seeing other things about the mass, drag, density, etc. to get the terminal velocity. Since I wasn't given these values I'm thinking the most logical thing is to find the gradient, but this may be wrong. Any help would be really appreciated here.
 
You know that terminal velocity is the maximum speed and it is constant. You know that velocity is the gradient. So why don't you try the maximum gradient that is constant.
 
While accelerating, displacement is quadratic, velocity is linear, and acceleration is constant. At terminal velocity, displacement is linear, velocity is constant, and acceleration is zero. Find the slope where the graph becomes linear
 

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