Solving Online Motion Problems: Understanding Velocity and Slope

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The discussion revolves around solving an online homework problem related to determining velocity from a graph. The initial assumption was that the slope of the graph, calculated as 5/4, represented the velocity. However, clarification was needed regarding the units on the axes, which required relabeling to accurately reflect the measurements in meters and seconds. After re-evaluating the graph, it was discovered that the line actually crosses at the point (6,7) instead of (5,4), leading to a corrected understanding of the slope. This adjustment ultimately resolved the confusion regarding the correct velocity value.
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I'm trying to do an online homework, and I think I have the right answer but every time I put it in it says its wrong :(

Take a look..

This is the graph
2iiuy6w.jpg


and then the question is:
What velocity is represented by the graph?
Answer in units of m/s.

I keep putting 1.25m/s because 5/4=1.25 so that's the slope, and the velocity right?

Any help will help.
thanks.
 
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sickphysic said:
I'm trying to do an online homework, and I think I have the right answer but every time I put it in it says its wrong :(

Take a look..

This is the graph
2iiuy6w.jpg


and then the question is:
What velocity is represented by the graph?
Answer in units of m/s.

I keep putting 1.25m/s because 5/4=1.25 so that's the slope, and the velocity right?

Any help will help.
thanks.

Where are you getting the slope as 5/4?

First, you will need to multiply out the units on each axis. I don't know why they did it so strangely, but whatever. Re-label the graph in meters and seconds (applying the multiplication factors shown for each axis), and then figure out the rise/run of the graph.
 
I'm getting the 5/4 cause if each division on the y-axis is 5, and then each division on the x-axis is 4 then the slope is 5/4?
Isn't it?
 
sickphysic said:
I'm getting the 5/4 cause if each division on the y-axis is 5, and then each division on the x-axis is 4 then the slope is 5/4?
Isn't it?

Multiply each number on the vertical scale by 5. So instead of being 1, 2, 3, ... it's 5, 10, 15,...

Do the similar thing for the horizontal axis. Now it is re-labelled. Now look at how the line starts at (0,0) and goes up to (?,?). That should give you the slope of the line...
 
This is what you're saying right?

o50psk.jpg


so doesn't that make the slope 5/4?
 
I got it! lol
I didn't realize that the line didn't cross exactly at the 5,4 point but the 6,7 instead.
thanks (:
 
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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