What Does a Constant Velocity Graph Look Like?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on interpreting a motion graph with different time intervals. The intervals indicate acceleration from t=0-2, stationary from t=2-4, and varying acceleration from t=4-9. Participants clarify that moving does not equate to accelerating, emphasizing the distinction between constant speed and acceleration. A constant velocity graph would show straight lines, indicating uniform motion without changes in speed. Understanding these concepts is crucial for accurately analyzing motion graphs.
_Reza_
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Homework Statement


Identify the motion that the different sections of the graph describe

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution


t=0-2 is accelerating
t=2-4 is stationary
t=4-5 accelerating
t=5-9 decelerating/slowing down

Options which are given: Constant speed, moving back to the start position and the above. Is my solution correct?
thank in advance
 

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First things first: On such a diagram, what would a constant speed motion look like? What aspect of the diagram tells you the speed? Then: What would acceleration look like?
 
Doc Al said:
First things first: On such a diagram, what would a constant speed motion look like? What aspect of the diagram tells you the speed? Then: What would acceleration look like?
well since the distance is changing over time, that must imply that the object is moving hence for t= 0-2 it is accelerating. Now for t=2-4 distance is not changing therefore it must be stationary. for t=4-5 and t=5-9 the object is accelerating but the first interval (t=4-5) is accelerating faster than the other (t=5-9) . My confusion is that they had provided other possible answers which i have stated, but i can not see any constant acceleration in that diagram
 
_Reza_ said:
well since the distance is changing over time, that must imply that the object is moving hence for t= 0-2 it is accelerating.
Yes, during that time the object is moving. But moving does not mean accelerating. What's the definition of acceleration?
 
Doc Al said:
Yes, during that time the object is moving. But moving does not mean accelerating. What's the definition of acceleration?
the rate of change of velocity over time, does that mean the object is moving in constant speed?
 
_Reza_ said:
the rate of change of velocity over time
Exactly!

So what would a graph of constant velocity look like?
 
Doc Al said:
Exactly!

So what would a graph of constant velocity look like?
Graph that shows distance and time, so distance/time= constant speed. so the different intervals were the distance is changing, is the objects always at constant speed?
 
Doc Al said:
So what would a graph of constant velocity look like?
Tell me what such a displacement vs time graph looks like. Would it be straight lines, curved lines, flat lines, what?

How would you draw a graph of the motion of an object moving at constant speed?
 
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