Position of a particle from the graph of its velocity

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The discussion focuses on determining the position of a particle at point A based on its velocity-time graph. The participant attempts to derive a formula for the velocity and connects it to the position through integration. They question how the textbook concludes that the position x is less than zero at point A, given that the graph only represents velocity. The response clarifies that the book likely assumes an initial condition stating that x(t=0) is less than zero. Ultimately, the discussion highlights the importance of initial conditions in interpreting velocity graphs to ascertain position.
Tarrok
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Homework Statement


Problem: how do we know for sure if x is <0 for point A?
AglX2zq.png

Vx-t is a graph of particle's speed over time.
x represents position of the particle at any given time

The Attempt at a Solution


From the function that we can see on the left side of the picture we can deduce the formula for it. It should be something like v = -a(t-b)^2+c, where a,b and c are some unknown constants >0.

So i attempted to use wolframalpha to plot a function similar to this:
LKtbnn1.png

And then I took integral of this function to find the connection between x (position of the particle) and t:
bsRhj1K.png

From this function we can see that if the constant is equal to zero, then position x of the particle at t=0 should be zero. This means that since the textbook says that at point A x<0, our constant is =/=0, but instead is a negative number.

But how do they know that constant is <0 at point A?
All we have is a graph of the derivate of the function of particle's position (x) over time. When we take a derivative of this, the constant turns into zero, so I don't see the way that authors used to determine whether the constant is >0, <0 or 0. Why do they state that x<0 at A then if it could actually be anything?

Thanks for help!
 
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A graph of velocity against time does not imply an initial position. The book must have stated or assumed that ##x(t=0) < 0##.
 
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The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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