Finding distance through a velocity-time

  • Thread starter Becca93
  • Start date
1 reply · 4K views · last reply
Becca93
Messages
84
Reaction score
1

Homework Statement



The graph attached shows the speed of a car traveling in a straight line as a function of time. The value of Vc is 4.00 m/s and the value of Vd is 7.00 m/s. Calculate the distance traveled by the car from a time of 0.60 to 6.40 seconds.


2&3. Relevant equations + Attempt at a solution
I know that the distance is the area under the graph. My and from t=1s to t=6.4s, I have the total. It's from t=0.6s to t=1s that I don't understand how to get.
 
Attachments
  • Speed versus time graph: speed rises linearly from 0 to Vc between 0 and 1 s, stays at Vc until 3 s, rises linearly to Vd at 5 s, then stays at Vd through 8 s.
    graph.PNG
    1.3 KB · Views: 610
You have a straight line on the graph for the first second, so the acceleration is constant. You can find it (slope), then use an accelerated motion formula to find the velocity at time 0.6 s. Or use linear interpolation - 60% of the t=1 speed at t =0.6.

That leaves you with finding the area under the trapezoid from 0.6 to 1 s. Look up the formula in wikipedia if you don't know it. Or split it into a rectangle plus a triangle and use area formulas you do know.