Interperting displacement vs time graph

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on interpreting displacement versus time graphs, specifically the relationship between slope, velocity, and vector components. The slope of the curve represents velocity, defined as the derivative of displacement with respect to time. It is clarified that while displacement is a vector, the tangent line at a point on the graph gives the instantaneous velocity, which can be broken down into x and y components. The confusion arises from the application of uniform acceleration equations, particularly the use of the y-component (vsinθ) in calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic kinematics concepts, including displacement and velocity.
  • Familiarity with graph interpretation, particularly slope and tangent lines.
  • Knowledge of vector components and their representation in motion.
  • Basic understanding of calculus, specifically derivatives.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the relationship between displacement, velocity, and acceleration in one-dimensional motion.
  • Learn how to calculate instantaneous velocity using derivatives in calculus.
  • Explore the concept of vector decomposition in physics, focusing on x and y components.
  • Review uniform acceleration equations and their applications in different contexts.
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching kinematics, and anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of motion analysis through graphical representation.

Purple_Monkey
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I'm having a conceptual problem and having a hard time putting it into words. I think I'm assuming a lot of things have confused the sh*t out of myself. Sorry if this is really confusing and flawed in logic.
So, let's say we have a graph and it's displacement versus time. The slope of the curve would be velocity as velocity is =d/t.
If we pick a single point on the graph, the line tangent to that would be the velocity vector and we can draw the x & y components for the vector. If what I've said so far is right then why is it that when we want to calculate for time using the equations for uniform acceleration we use vsinθ, the y-component. According to the graph y= displacement and x=time...
 
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Purple_Monkey said:
I'm having a conceptual problem and having a hard time putting it into words. I think I'm assuming a lot of things have confused the sh*t out of myself. Sorry if this is really confusing and flawed in logic.
So, let's say we have a graph and it's displacement versus time. The slope of the curve would be velocity as velocity is =d/t.
This is right, in essence. In general "displacement" is a vector but you may be thinking about a one-dimensional motion.
Velocity is the derivative of displacement in respect to time (it is d/t only for the case of constant velocity)

Purple_Monkey said:
If we pick a single point on the graph, the line tangent to that would be the velocity vector and we can draw the x & y components for the vector.
No, this is not true. The velocity is a vector in space whereas your "vector" will have d-t components.
If you plot, let's say, the x coordinate versus time, the slope of the tangent will give the component of the velocity along the x-axis (Vx).
Similar for y versus t and Vy.
 
I do not have a good working knowledge of physics yet. I tried to piece this together but after researching this, I couldn’t figure out the correct laws of physics to combine to develop a formula to answer this question. Ex. 1 - A moving object impacts a static object at a constant velocity. Ex. 2 - A moving object impacts a static object at the same velocity but is accelerating at the moment of impact. Assuming the mass of the objects is the same and the velocity at the moment of impact...

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