Question regarding Negative Velocity

  • Thread starter Thread starter Drewski
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Negative Velocity
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the behavior of position-time and velocity-time graphs when starting with a negative velocity and accelerating positively. It is established that if the initial position is zero, the position-time graph will resemble a parabola as velocity increases. Conversely, if the initial position is significantly positive, the position will remain above the horizontal axis, never becoming negative. The correct interpretation of these graphs is crucial for understanding motion dynamics.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinematics and motion graphs
  • Familiarity with position-time and velocity-time graph concepts
  • Knowledge of acceleration and its effects on velocity
  • Basic principles of parabolic motion
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of kinematics in physics
  • Learn about graphing techniques for motion analysis
  • Explore the effects of initial conditions on motion graphs
  • Investigate parabolic motion and its mathematical representation
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching motion dynamics, and anyone interested in understanding the relationship between velocity and position in kinematic graphs.

Drewski
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
On a Position-Time Graph, if you start with a negative velocity and slowly increase (Accelerate) in velocity, would you have a negative position that increases to a positive position?

In other words, would it look like this?

rmp8hf.jpg


Velocity-Time Graph on the Right, Position Time-Graph on the Left. Are they correct?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
If your acceleration is in the positive direction, then your v/t graph is correct but your x/t graph is wrong: it should look like a parabola, not two straight lines.
 
Drewski said:
would you have a negative position that increases to a positive position?

It depends on the initial position. If the initial position is zero, then you have something like your graph (I assume you meant to draw a smooth parabola but were limited by your tools :wink:). If the initial position is positive and "large" enough, the graph stays above the horizontal axis and the position never becomes negative.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
7K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
484
  • · Replies 49 ·
2
Replies
49
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K