Calculating displacement from velocity-time graph

In summary, the problem is to find the displacement for the entire time interval on a given graph, which can be done by calculating the area under the graph. This can be done by finding the areas between the velocity curve and the x-axis, with the only area already included being area #3. For negative velocity, the area can be calculated and then subtracted from the positive velocity area.
  • #1
Letsgo99
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Homework Statement


Basically they want me to find the displacement for the entire time interval on this graph.
The graph is in the attachment.



Homework Equations


Displacement is equal to the area under the graph. In this case d=LxW+(BxH)/2+(BxH)/2


The Attempt at a Solution


My attempted solution is included in the graph. I understand how to do these, my only problem is that I'm not sure what to do with the negative velocity. All the examples in my textbook only deal with positive velocity on problems like this one. I have the area of figure 3 but I'm not sure if I have to include the entire area under the line in figure 1 or just the positive part. With figure two I'm also not sure what to do.
 

Attachments

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  • #2
The areas you need lie in between the velocity curve and the x-axis. The only area you have drawn in your attachment that doesn't need rethinking is area #3. For a negative velocity you just subtract that area from the area you calculate for the positive velocity.
 

FAQ: Calculating displacement from velocity-time graph

What is displacement?

Displacement is the distance between an object's final position and its initial position. It is a vector quantity and takes into account both the magnitude and direction of an object's movement.

How do you calculate displacement from a velocity-time graph?

To calculate displacement from a velocity-time graph, you can find the area under the graph. This can be done by dividing the graph into smaller shapes, such as rectangles or triangles, and calculating the area for each shape. Then, simply add up all of the areas to find the total displacement.

What units are used for displacement?

Displacement is typically measured in units of length, such as meters (m) or kilometers (km). The specific unit used will depend on the scale of the displacement being measured.

Can displacement be negative?

Yes, displacement can be negative. This indicates that the object has moved in the opposite direction of the positive direction on the graph. For example, if an object moves 5 meters to the left, its displacement would be -5 meters.

How is displacement different from distance?

Displacement takes into account the direction of an object's movement, while distance does not. Distance is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude, while displacement is a vector quantity.

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