Why Does Distance vs. Velocity Create a Parabolic Graph?

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Homework Statement


Why is a parabola formed when a graph of distance(y axis) vs. velocity(x axis) is plotted against each other? (constant acceleration)

Homework Equations


s=ut+1/2at^2 (guessing?)
v^2-u^2 = 2as (guessing?)

The Attempt at a Solution


I don't know if there is any relationship between veloctiy and distance without knowing the time. But my teacher told me that time was not needed to prove it was a power function...?
 
Hi.

I'd say you're thinking about the problem in the wrong way.

Try drawing up the parabolic graph of distance vs velocity, and then ask yourself what the graph's shape is suggesting.

I hope that's a good enough hint in the right direction.

~ Ek.
 
Last edited:
I don't really understand...
my data is like below
distance(m)
1
1.3
1.5
1.69
vel(m/s)
1.1675
1.325
1.4275
1.51

How can I prove what kind of function is it??

The graph looks like this...
 
Attachments
  • Scatter plot of distance (y-axis, 0 to 1.6) against velocity (x-axis, 0 to 1.8) with four dark blue diamond points rising from about (1.0, 1.17) to about (1.7, 1.51), gridlines on a grey background.
    graph.JPG
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