Hi, I need some help with a homework problem invovling acceleration

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a homework problem related to calculating acceleration from a set of velocity data over time. Participants are exploring the concept of acceleration as the rate of change of velocity.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the definition of acceleration and the formula for calculating it. There are questions about the appropriate starting point for solving the problem and the relevance of a trendline presented in the data.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided guidance on how to approach the calculation of acceleration, while others are seeking clarification on the trendline's significance and its relation to the acceleration formula. Multiple interpretations of the problem are being explored.

Contextual Notes

There is mention of a required trendline from class, which may impose additional constraints on how the problem is approached. Participants are also grappling with the complexity of the problem and the need for a clear method to find the solution.

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Homework Statement


What is the acceleration of your car?

Time Velocity[ms]
1 8.8
2 12.82
3 16.25
4 20.46
5 24.22
6 28.09
7 31.77
8 35.24
9 39.32
10 42.37
11 44.61
12 46.63
13 49.01
14 50.53
15 52.1
16 52.32
17 53.6
18 53.44
19 53.74
20 53.25

http://img87.imageshack.us/img87/8674/velocitygraphob6.jpg


Homework Equations





The Attempt at a Solution

 
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I really just don't know where to start, is there an equation I need to use or is this much more complicated?
 
The definition of acceleration is the rate of change of velocity with time. What you need to do is find out how much the speed changed and in what time, then:

[tex]a= \frac{\Delta v}{t}[/tex]
 
(53.25 - 8.8) = 44.45

a = (44.45) / 20s

a = 2.2225 m/s

Is this right?
 
What's with the function in the upper right edge v(t) = 3.6688 t + 5.6189 ?
 
That's just the slope of the trendline for the increasing part of the graph. He told us in class we had to show it.
 
Ok, so from above [tex]a= \frac{\Delta v}{t}[/tex] , or to put it another way, a is the gradient of the graph of v against t. Given your trendline, in the form y=mx+c, how can you read off the gradient?