How Do You Determine Maximum Acceleration from a Velocity-Time Graph?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the maximum acceleration from a velocity-time graph of a sports car. Participants are exploring the relationship between velocity and acceleration, particularly in the context of a calculus-based physics class.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand how to derive acceleration from the graph, questioning whether they need to convert units and how to identify changes in velocity and time. There is also a discussion about the nature of the physics class and the implications for the problem-solving approach.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on interpreting the graph and understanding that acceleration is related to the slope of the velocity function. However, there are still questions about how to accurately determine changes in velocity and time from the graph.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the problem is set within a calculus-based physics context, which may influence the methods and reasoning applied to find the solution. There is also confusion regarding the interpretation of the graph and the necessary calculations.

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The graph shows the velocity v of a sports car as a function of time t . Use the graph to answer the following questions.

1.) Find the maximum acceleration a_max of the car
Express your answer in meters per second squared to the nearest integer.
a_max= _____________________ m/s^2


from the graph, should the acceleration be around 55m/s? but the answer must be in m/s^2, should am i suppose to convert it first? I'm new to physics, so all of this is pretty confusing.
 

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Is this from a non-calculus based physics class?
 
ProBasket said:
The graph shows the velocity v of a sports car as a function of time t . Use the graph to answer the following questions.

1.) Find the maximum acceleration a_max of the car
Express your answer in meters per second squared to the nearest integer.
a_max= _____________________ m/s^2


from the graph, should the acceleration be around 55m/s? but the answer must be in m/s^2, should am i suppose to convert it first? I'm new to physics, so all of this is pretty confusing.

velocity is in m/s is it not? Acceleration is the change of velocity with respect to a change in time or \Delta v/\Delta t. Loot athe the graph and equate changes in velocity with their corresponding change in time.
 
Is this from a non-calculus based physics class?
it's a cal-based class.

faust9 said:
velocity is in m/s is it not? Acceleration is the change of velocity with respect to a change in time or \Delta v/\Delta t. Loot athe the graph and equate changes in velocity with their corresponding change in time.


how would i find the changes in velocity? it's all over the place. and for time, would the change in time be 1?
 
ProBasket said:
it's a cal-based class.




how would i find the changes in velocity? it's all over the place. and for time, would the change in time be 1?

If this is a calculus based class then you should know that acceleration is the slope of a velocity function.

given a function y(x) then the slope of said function is dy/dx. Given a function of v(t) then the slope is dv/dt which is acceleration.

Think slope and grab a ruler.
 

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