Velocity and displacement and distance

In summary, the velocity function is given by $v(t)=-t^2+5t-4$ and the displacement over the given interval is $\frac{5}{6}$, while the distance traveled is $\frac{49}{6}$ units.
  • #1
karush
Gold Member
MHB
3,269
5
Assume $t$ is time measured in seconds and velocities have units of $m/s$

$$s\left(t\right)=-{t}^{2}+5t-4 \ \ \ 0\le t \le 5 $$

$$v\left(t\right)=-2t+5$$

a. Graph the velocity function over the given interval. Then determine when the motion is in the positive direction and when it is the negative direction.

[desmos="0,5,-5,5"]y=-2t+5;[/desmos]

b. Find the displacement over the given interval. ?

c. Find the distance traveled over the given interval. ?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
karush said:
Assume $t$ is time measured in seconds and velocities have units of $m/s$

$$s\left(t\right)=-{t}^{2}+5t-4 \ \ \ 0\le t \le 5 $$

$$v\left(t\right)=-2t+5$$

a. Graph the velocity function over the given interval. Then determine when the motion is in the positive direction and when it is the negative direction.

b. Find the displacement over the given interval. ?

c. Find the distance traveled over the given interval. ?

Isn't s your displacement function? So wouldn't the displacement over that interval be just your s function as written? Or if you want the displacement at t = 5 you'd be finding s(5) ?

As for the distance travelled, the distance is the area under the velocity graph in that interval. How would you evaluate that?
 
  • #3
Sorry looks like the equation was given as velocity

$$v\left(t\right)=-{t}^{2 }+5t-4$$

So then displacement is

$$\int_{0}^{5}v(t) \,dt = \frac{5}{6}$$

And distance traveled would be

$$\int_{0}^{ 1}\left| v\left(t\right) \right| \,dt
+\int_{1}^{4} v\left(t\right) \,dt
+ \int_{4}^{5}\left| v\left(t\right) \right| \,dt =\frac{49}{6} $$

I hope anyway..
 
  • #4
Your displacement is correct, and the end result of your distance is correct (but your integral expression, while technically correct should not have any absolute values), but for the distance $D$, we can simplify matters a bit and use the symmetry of the velocity function about the line $t=\dfrac{5}{2}$ to write:

\(\displaystyle D(5)=2\left(\int_0^1t^2-5t+4\,dt-\int_1^{\frac{5}{2}}t^2-5t+4\,dt\right)=2\left(\frac{11}{6}+\frac{9}{4}\right)=\frac{49}{6}\)
 

1. What is the difference between velocity, displacement, and distance?

Velocity is the rate of change of an object's position in a specific direction. Displacement is the change in an object's position from its initial position to its final position. Distance is the total length of the path an object has traveled.

2. How is velocity calculated?

Velocity is calculated by dividing displacement by time. The formula for velocity is v = Δx/Δt, where v is velocity, Δx is displacement, and Δt is time.

3. Can velocity be negative?

Yes, velocity can be negative. This occurs when an object is moving in the opposite direction of the positive direction, or when an object's displacement is decreasing over time.

4. How does velocity affect an object's motion?

Velocity affects an object's motion by determining its speed and direction. A higher velocity means a faster speed, while a lower velocity means a slower speed. The direction of the velocity vector determines the direction of the object's motion.

5. How is displacement different from distance?

Displacement is different from distance in that displacement is a vector quantity that takes into account the direction of an object's motion, while distance is a scalar quantity that only measures the total length of the path an object has traveled.

Similar threads

Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
2
Views
1K
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • Calculus
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
18
Views
1K
Replies
20
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
728
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • Calculus
Replies
19
Views
5K
Back
Top