# Quantitatively Compare the values of objects A and B

1. Oct 11, 2013

### AnthonyTufo

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

*See attached graph*
If A has the greater value answer A.
If B has the greater value answer B.
1. Average Velocity from t = 0s to t =2.5s
2. Average Velocity from t = 0s to t =5s
3. Displacement from t = 0s to t =2.5s
4. Displacement from t = 0s to t = 5s

2. Relevant equations
Average Velocity
$\overline{v}$: average velocity
S: sum of numbers
N: the amount of terms
$\overline{v}$ = S/N

Displacement
l = length
w = width
for B, Displacement = .5lw
for A, Displacement = lw

3. The attempt at a solution

I got all these wrong on the test, but I think I understand both the average velocity problems now.
1. For B: $\stackrel{8+6+4}{3}$ = 18/3 = 6m/s and A is always 4m/s, so the answer is B is greater than A. Or I could have just looked at the graph and noticed that object B's line is above A's.
2. $\stackrel{8+6+4+2+0}{5}$ = 20/5 = 4m/s answer is the values are equal.
3. Displacement of B = .5 (8m/s) (2.5s) = 10m
Displacement of A = (4m/s) (2.5s) = 10m
I said equal and that was wrong, I think I am approaching this incorrectly.
4. Displacement of B = .5 (8m/s) (5s) = 20m
Displacement of A = (4m/s) (5s) = 20m
For this one I originally thought adding the displacements of B together would work (10m + (.5) (4m/s)(2.5s) = 15m), but that doesn't follow order of operations(and it leaves out a triangular space when I look at it graphically), right? I don't understand this though. Shouldn't the displacement be getting smaller as the velocity decreases? I can see it graphically, but I don't understand it fundamentally. This answer is they are equal.
I also had to make a motion map and on that I put B as travelling a total of 15m and A travelling a total 20m and they were both marked correct, so there may be some confusion on my part in assuming my teacher didn't make a mistake.

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Last edited: Oct 11, 2013
2. Oct 11, 2013

### Tanya Sharma

Hi AnthonyTufo

Welcome to Physicsforums!!!

1)You can calculate displacement by calculating area under the v-t graph .

Vavg = (X2-X1)/(t2-t1) = ΔX/Δt,where X2 and X1 are displacement of the object at time t2 and t1 respectively .

2)For the special case of straight line motion ,if the beginning and ending velocities for this motion are known, and the acceleration is constant, the average velocity can also be expressed as Vavg=(V1+V2)/2 .

Approach 2) looks to be simpler in this case.

3. Oct 11, 2013

### AnthonyTufo

Am I still wrong for problems 1 and 2? If not, I still need help on verifying 4 and figuring out 3.
Okay, I see what I did wrong. Too find displacement I should have used the ENTIRE time shown on the graph and because it is constant this is easy. I found this: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1dkin/u1l4e.cfm