Velocity time graph &instantaneous acceleration

Click For Summary
Instantaneous acceleration can be determined from a velocity-time graph by calculating the gradient of the line. If the graph is a straight line, the acceleration is constant and can be found using the formula a = (velocity2 - velocity1) / (time2 - time1). A slope of zero indicates that the object is traveling at a constant velocity without acceleration. The relationship between acceleration and the slope of the graph is fundamental, as acceleration represents the change in velocity over time. Understanding these concepts is crucial for analyzing motion in physics.
karaonstage
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
How can you find the instantaneous accelertation of an object whose curve on the velocity-time graph is a straight line?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
a=dv/dt.

Acceleration is the gradient of the velocity-time curve at any point.
 
acceleration = (velocity 2 - velocity 1)/ (time 2 -time1)
 
karaonstage said:
How can you find the instantaneous accelertation of an object whose curve on the velocity-time graph is a straight line?

Only just a straight line? Then
\forall n > 1,\;\frac{{d^n v}}{{dt^n }} = 0
over the interval containing this line

*karaonstage, simply find the slope of this line, and you will thus calculate the acceleration of the object.
If the slope = 0, the object simply doesn't accelerate (travels at constant velocity).
 
Above is correct. But next time, try to think to yourself, what is acceleration. Change in velocity over time, well, if you have a velocity vs time graph, than a change in velocity over time IS your slope.
 
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?

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K
Replies
25
Views
2K
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
5K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Replies
1
Views
3K
Replies
5
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K