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Let's assume we have an object moving in the x-direction alone, calling its position x(t), where t is time.; and imagine it has constant acceleration a. Acceleration is the second derivative of time - in terms of calculus,

d2x/dt2 = a. (1)

So we can get the graph of the position by integrating (1). Doing this once gives us the velocity:

dx/dt = at + C

where, if the initial velocity (the velocity at time t = 0) is given by u and we substitute this in, we get

u = a*0 + C so that C = u, giving

dx/dt = at + u (2)

Now to get the solution for the position of the object against time, we integrate (2):

x(t) = (1/2)*at2 + ut + D

And, if the position of the object at time t = 0 is just called x(0), we get

x(0) = (1/2)*a*02 + u*0 + D so that D = x(0), finally giving

x(t) = (1/2)*at2 +ut + x(0) (3)

(3) you might recognise as the general equation of motion of an object with constant linear acceleration. Note that it is a quadratic function, and so is generally shaped like a parabola (See 'parabola', under wiki; [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parabola] especially the top-most line drawing (although imagine it upside down as the track of a ball thrown upwards, under the constant acceleration of gravity) and also the picture of the bouncing tennis ball at the bottom, each period in the air is an example of a parabolic track.)

Final point - note that the parabola (in projectile motion cases) -always- has a curve leading up from the ground and then back down. Sounds obvious, i know; but recall that objects moving under gravity are measured as having a -negative- acceleration, hence the first term of the quadratic is negative,the parabola will be upturned compared to a graph like x = t2. Hope this helps ;)

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How Can you tell from a velocity-time graph that the velocity is constant?

velocity is nothing but speed of a body in the given direction. suppose if body is moving with constant velocity then VT graph will be parallel to the X -axis, if not then the VT graph is not parallel to the X-axis it means then object is moving with different velocity or it has its dierection or both velocity and aswell as direction.


A graph showing zero slope for the position vs time always indicates that the object is not moving?

If the speed/time graph slops negatively, that's an indication that the speed is decreasing, i.e. the object is slowing down. The negative slop is also called negative acceleration, since acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.


What is the definition of velocity time graph?

A velocity-time graph shows how an object's velocity changes over time. The slope of the graph represents the object's acceleration, and the area under the curve represents the total displacement of the object. It is a useful tool for understanding an object's motion.


Which two graphs represents the motion of an object on which the net force is zero?

A horizontal line on a position-time graph or a stationary line on a velocity-time graph represents the motion of an object with zero net force. These graphs indicate constant velocity motion, where the object is moving at a consistent speed in a straight line.


What information can be learned from a position-time graph and from a speed-time graph?

A position time graph can show you velocity. As time changes, so does position, and the velocity of the object can be determined. For a speed time graph, you can derive acceleration. As time changes, so does velocity, and the acceleration of the object can be determined.If you are plotting velocity (speed) versus time, the slope is the acceleration.

Related Questions

Can you tell from a velocity-time graph whether an object is stationary?

If the curve is horizontal, then the speed is constant. If that horizontal graph lies on the x-axis, then the constant speed is zero, and the object is stationary.


How Can you tell from a velocity-time graph that the velocity is constant?

velocity is nothing but speed of a body in the given direction. suppose if body is moving with constant velocity then VT graph will be parallel to the X -axis, if not then the VT graph is not parallel to the X-axis it means then object is moving with different velocity or it has its dierection or both velocity and aswell as direction.


Can you tell from a displacemnt-time graph wheather an object is stationary?

Of course yes. An object is stationary when the graph is horizontal in a displacement-time graph.


A graph showing zero slope for the position vs time always indicates that the object is not moving?

If the speed/time graph slops negatively, that's an indication that the speed is decreasing, i.e. the object is slowing down. The negative slop is also called negative acceleration, since acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.


How does the position vs time graph of an object relate to its velocity vs time graph?

The position vs time graph of an object shows its location at different times, while the velocity vs time graph shows how fast the object is moving at those times. The slope of the position vs time graph represents the velocity on the velocity vs time graph.


What can you say about the motion of an object whose distance time graph is a straight line parallel to time axis?

The object is stationary as its velocity is zero. The velocity of an object is the gradient of its distance-time graph and as the graph is a horizontal straight line, its gradient is zero. The object is stationary also as its distance from the time axis is not increasing.


What is the definition of velocity time graph?

A velocity-time graph shows how an object's velocity changes over time. The slope of the graph represents the object's acceleration, and the area under the curve represents the total displacement of the object. It is a useful tool for understanding an object's motion.


Does a vertical line on a distance time graph indicate that an object is stationary?

Object will change distance time graph when speed is changing. Distance time graph don't changed indicate of the stationary.


What is the y-intercept of the velocity time graph?

The velocity of the object at time = 0


What is the method for finding the position of an object from a velocity-time graph?

To find the position of an object from a velocity-time graph, you need to calculate the area under the curve of the graph. This area represents the displacement of the object.


What represents a stationary object on a distance time graph?

A stationary object on a distance-time graph will be represented by a horizontal line. This indicates that the object is not changing its position over time and remains at a constant distance from a reference point.


Which two graphs represents the motion of an object on which the net force is zero?

A horizontal line on a position-time graph or a stationary line on a velocity-time graph represents the motion of an object with zero net force. These graphs indicate constant velocity motion, where the object is moving at a consistent speed in a straight line.