Calculating acceleration from 2 tangent lines

AI Thread Summary
To calculate acceleration from two tangent lines on a position vs. time graph, the slopes of the tangents represent the velocities at specific points. The average acceleration can be determined by subtracting the initial velocity from the final velocity and dividing by the time interval between the two points. Even if the tangent points do not correspond to the overall initial and final times, acceleration can still be computed over the chosen interval. It is important to note that if acceleration is constant, this method remains valid. Thus, the average acceleration can be calculated without needing to reference the overall initial and final times.
azn4lyf89
Messages
17
Reaction score
0
I have a position vs. time graph which is slightly curved. I found the slope of 2 tangent lines which I know are the velocity. My question is how do I get the acceleration using these 2 slopes. One slope is 295cm/s and the other is 575cm/s. I know that avg acceleration is final velocity - initial velocity/ final time - initial time but because these points aren't at the initial and final times, I don't think I can use that.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Then don't use final time in the acceleration equation! If acceleration is a constant, you can calculate it over any time interval.
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'Collision of a bullet on a rod-string system: query'
In this question, I have a question. I am NOT trying to solve it, but it is just a conceptual question. Consider the point on the rod, which connects the string and the rod. My question: just before and after the collision, is ANGULAR momentum CONSERVED about this point? Lets call the point which connects the string and rod as P. Why am I asking this? : it is clear from the scenario that the point of concern, which connects the string and the rod, moves in a circular path due to the string...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
Back
Top