How to calculate instantaneous acceleration if -->

AI Thread Summary
To calculate instantaneous acceleration, one can use the formula dv/dt, but it requires understanding the relationship between position, velocity, and time. The discussion highlights a conflict in the provided graph regarding time values, which complicates the calculation. Despite the inaccuracies, it is possible to estimate average acceleration between two known points, t=3.8 seconds and t=4.0 seconds, using their respective velocities. The conversation emphasizes the need for clarity in the data to accurately determine instantaneous acceleration. Ultimately, the key takeaway is that with sufficient data points, one can derive the necessary velocities to calculate acceleration effectively.
Hardikph
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Member advised to use the homework template for posts in the homework sections of PF.

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I tried but I can't.
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Ray Vickson said:
You must show your work. What have you tried?
First I used the formula dv/dt but I am used to have a ƒ(x) in the questions I usually did.
 
Hardikph said:
First I used the formula dv/dt but I am used to have a ƒ(x) in the questions I usually did.
Write dv/dt in terms of x and y, as defined in this question.
What is the gradient at a point on a graph, a) in terms of algebra, and b) in terms of geometry?
 
+1

It looks like this question is testing that you know what dx/dt and dv/dt mean in the real world.
 
I am NOT getting it. Can you be a little more specific.
 
Edit : Distorted plot corrected .
 
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dydx mk2mk2.jpg
 
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There's a conflict in the figure, t2 is stated as being 3.8, but shows as 4.0 in the figure. There's insufficient information to determine instantaneous acceleration without more sample points or a limitation on the formula for acceleration versus time. If the figure was more accurate, the multiple sample points could be used to generate a function for position versus time, and then velocity and acceleration versus time. For example, the graph could be a hyperbola, in which case acceleration approaches zero as time and distance increase, or the graph could be a parabola, in which case acceleration is constant, although the graph seems to be closer to being a hyperbola.
 
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rcgldr said:
There's a conflict in the figure, t2 is stated as being 3.8, but shows as 4.0 in the figure.

Sorry I disagree. I think that's deliberate.

It states the velocity at t=3.8 seconds is 130m/s and asks you to calculate the acceleration at t2=4.0 seconds. The graph gives you enough data to calculate the velocity at t2=4.0. So you have the velocities at two points a known time apart.

The accuracy might not be great but you can calculate an answer.
 
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  • #11
CWatters said:
It states the velocity at t=3.8 seconds is 130m/s and asks you to calculate the acceleration at t2=4.0 seconds. The graph gives you enough data to calculate the velocity at t2=4.0. So you have the velocities at two points a known time apart.

The accuracy might not be great but you can calculate an answer.
I wasn't paying attention to the limited choices of possible answers, so the accuracy doesn't need to be that great. There's no information after t = 4.0, so what's being calculated is the average acceleration from t = 3.8 to t = 4.0, not the instantaneous acceleration at t = 4.0. Based on the graph and the data, the acceleration is decreasing with time, instantaneous acceleration at t = 4.0 would be less.
 
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  • #12
@Hardikph , I don't know if you've been able to follow the discussion between CWatters and rcgldr.
You are told the velocity at t=3.8s, and there is enough information in the graph to find it at t=4s. Can you see how to deduce that second velocity? Having got the two velocities, can you see how to estimate the acceleration?
 
  • #13
Now I Understand. Thank You guys.
 
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