# 2.8 Graphical analysis of one-dimensional motion  (Page 3/8)

 Page 3 / 8

Additional general information can be obtained from [link] and the expression for a straight line, $y=\text{mx}+b$ .

In this case, the vertical axis $y$ is $V$ , the intercept $b$ is ${v}_{0}$ , the slope $m$ is $a$ , and the horizontal axis $x$ is $t$ . Substituting these symbols yields

$v={v}_{0}+\text{at}.$

A general relationship for velocity, acceleration, and time has again been obtained from a graph. Notice that this equation was also derived algebraically from other motion equations in Motion Equations for Constant Acceleration in One Dimension .

It is not accidental that the same equations are obtained by graphical analysis as by algebraic techniques. In fact, an important way to discover physical relationships is to measure various physical quantities and then make graphs of one quantity against another to see if they are correlated in any way. Correlations imply physical relationships and might be shown by smooth graphs such as those above. From such graphs, mathematical relationships can sometimes be postulated. Further experiments are then performed to determine the validity of the hypothesized relationships.

## Graphs of motion where acceleration is not constant

Now consider the motion of the jet car as it goes from 165 m/s to its top velocity of 250 m/s, graphed in [link] . Time again starts at zero, and the initial displacement and velocity are 2900 m and 165 m/s, respectively. (These were the final displacement and velocity of the car in the motion graphed in [link] .) Acceleration gradually decreases from $5\text{.}{\text{0 m/s}}^{2}$ to zero when the car hits 250 m/s. The slope of the $x$ vs. $t$ graph increases until $t=\text{55 s}$ , after which time the slope is constant. Similarly, velocity increases until 55 s and then becomes constant, since acceleration decreases to zero at 55 s and remains zero afterward.

## Calculating acceleration from a graph of velocity versus time

Calculate the acceleration of the jet car at a time of 25 s by finding the slope of the $v$ vs. $t$ graph in [link] (b).

Strategy

The slope of the curve at $t=\text{25 s}$ is equal to the slope of the line tangent at that point, as illustrated in [link] (b).

Solution

Determine endpoints of the tangent line from the figure, and then plug them into the equation to solve for slope, $a$ .

$\text{slope}=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}=\frac{\left(\text{260 m/s}-\text{210 m/s}\right)}{\left(\text{51 s}-1.0 s\right)}$
$a=\frac{\text{50 m/s}}{\text{50 s}}=1\text{.}0 m{\text{/s}}^{2}.$

Discussion

Note that this value for $a$ is consistent with the value plotted in [link] (c) at $t=\text{25 s}$ .

A graph of displacement versus time can be used to generate a graph of velocity versus time, and a graph of velocity versus time can be used to generate a graph of acceleration versus time. We do this by finding the slope of the graphs at every point. If the graph is linear (i.e., a line with a constant slope), it is easy to find the slope at any point and you have the slope for every point. Graphical analysis of motion can be used to describe both specific and general characteristics of kinematics. Graphs can also be used for other topics in physics. An important aspect of exploring physical relationships is to graph them and look for underlying relationships.

#### Questions & Answers

what is ohm's law
states that electric current in a given metallic conductor is directly proportional to the potential difference applied between its end, provided that the temperature of the conductor and other physical factors such as length and cross-sectional area remains constant. mathematically V=IR
ANIEFIOK
A body travelling at a velocity of 30ms^-1 in a straight line is brought to rest by application of brakes. if it covers a distance of 100m during this period, find the retardation.
what is distribution of trade
what's acceleration
The change in position of an object with respect to time
Mfizi
Acceleration is velocity all over time
Pamilerin
hi
Stephen
It's not It's the change of velocity relative to time
Laura
Velocity is the change of position relative to time
Laura
acceleration it is the rate of change in velocity with time
Stephen
acceleration is change in velocity per rate of time
Noara
what is ohm's law
Stephen
Ohm's law is related to resistance by which volatge is the multiplication of current and resistance ( U=RI)
Laura
how i don understand
how do I access the Multiple Choice Questions? the button never works and the essay one doesn't either
How do you determine the magnitude of force
mass × acceleration OR Work done ÷ distance
Seema
Which eye defect is corrected by a lens having different curvatures in two perpendicular directions?
acute astigmatism?
the difference between virtual work and virtual displacement
How do you calculate uncertainties
What is Elasticity
using a micro-screw gauge,the thickness of a piece of a A4 white paper is measured to be 0.5+or-0.05 mm. If the length of the A4 paper is 26+or-0.2 cm, determine the volume of the A4 paper in: a). Cubic centimeters b). Cubic meters
what is module
why it is possible for an object(man) to stay on air without falling down?
its impossible, what do you mean exactly?
Ryan
Exactly
Emmanuella
it's impossible
Your
Why is it not possible to stand in air?
bikko
the air molecules are very light enough to oppose the gravitational pull of the earth on the man..... hence, freefall occurs
Arzail
because of gravitational forces
Pamilerin
this mostly occur in space
Stephen
what is physics
no life without physics ....that should tell you something
Exactly
Emmanuella
😎👍
E=MC^2
study of matter and energy and an inter-relation between them.
Minahil
that's how the mass and energy are related in stationery frame
Arzail
Ketucky tepung 10m
firdaus
Treeskin, 6m Cloud gam water 2m Cloud gam white 2m And buur
firdaus
Like dont have but have
firdaus
Two in one
firdaus
Okay
firdaus
DNA card
firdaus
hey am new over hear
Shiwani
War right? My impesilyty again. Don't have INSURAN for me
firdaus
PUSH
firdaus
I give
firdaus
0kay
firdaus
Hear from long
firdaus
Hehehe
firdaus
All physics... Hahahaha
firdaus
Tree skin and two cloud have tokside maybe
firdaus
Sold thing
firdaus
PUSH FIRST. HAHAHAAHA
firdaus
thanks
firdaus
Kinetic energy is the energy due to montion of waves,electrons,atoms, molecule,substances an object s.
Emmanuella
Opjective 0
firdaus
Atom nber 0
firdaus
SOME N
firdaus
10.000m permonth. U use momentom with me
firdaus
hi
Hilal
plz anyone can tell what is meteor and why meteor fall in night? can meteor fall in the day
Hilal
meteor are the glowy (i.e. heated when the enter into our atmosphere) parts of meteoroids. now, meteoroids are the debris resulting from the collision of asteroids or comets. yes, it occurs in daytime too, but due to the daylight, we cant observe it as clearly as in night
Arzail
thank's
Hilal
hello guys
Waka
wich method we use to find the potential on a grounded sphere
Noman
hello
Pamilerin
Physics is the science that studies everything around us from the smallest things like quarks to the biggest things like galaxies. It's simply everything.
Laura
Good day everyone
Divine
It talks mainly about matter with related topics such as forces energy gravity and time. It's amazing
Laura
Hi
Alpha
Physics generally is the study of everything around us.
Steven
physics is the branch of sceince
shafiu
physics is the branch of sceince that deal with motion
shafiu
physics is the branch of sceince that deal with motion &energy
shafiu