Finding magnitude and distance of a particles acceleration

[Drub]

Homework Statement

The figure depicts the motion of a particle moving along an x axis with a constant acceleration. The figure's vertical scaling is set by xs = 7.20 m. What are the (a) magnitude and (b) direction of the particle's acceleration ( +x or -x )?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm going to be honest, first week into class and I'm struggling pretty hard. I'm not really sure where to begin with this equation to be honest.

 

[BvU]

Hello Drub, welcome to PF !

All beginnings are difficult (old duch saying). But perhaps PF can help you to get going !

If we start with the end of your post, as well as with the (b) part of the exercise: what do you think: is the particle being accelerated in the +x or in the -x direction ?

 

[Drub]

Thank you for your response :)! I believe it starts accelerating negatively, but then when it crosses the x-axis it starts accelerating positively. am I on the right track here?

 

[BvU]

Actually, we might go one step back. Is it moving in the positive x-direction when it's moving from $-1x_S$ to $0$ from time 1 to 1 sec ?

 

[Drub]

I believe it is moving in the positive direction in that scenario :O?

 

[BvU]

Yes. And is its speed increasing or decreasing ?

 

[Drub]

Increasing ?

EDIT: i worked with a friend on it and found out that I had to use the formula Deltax = Vi*T + .5(at^2) to solve for a. after i found that a= 2(xfinal - xinital)/t^2. I then plugged in values for 1-2, and got 4.8 m/2^2.

I didn't plug in 0 seeing as 0 would have just gotten me an acceleration of 0 since the particle was not moving.

Thanks for the reply, I'll be sure to be posting on here again as this is quite the challenge so far! :)

 

[BvU]

Increasing is good.
And working together is a good way to learn for both ! Good luck !