• Interpret graphs

– position versus time, x(t) versus t

• (slope = velocity!)

• Interpret graphs
– velocity versus time, v(t) versus t
• Slope = acceleration!

VELOCITY VS. TIME GRAPH TO DETERMINE DISPLACEMENT

By solving the Total Area under the Graph in V versus Time Graph
Displacement vs. Distance

• Displacement (blue line) = how far the object

is from its starting point, regardless of path
• Distance traveled (dashed line) is measured
along the actual path.
Displacement vs. Distance

Displacement is written:
•SIGN matters! Direction matters!
• It is a VECTOR!!

Displacement is negative =>

<= Positive displacement

Speed vs. Velocity

Speed is how far an object travels in a given time

interval (in any direction)
Speed vs. Velocity

Velocity includes directional information:

VECTOR!
EXAMPLE OF INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY
The position of a particle moving along x is given by x(t) = 3.0t + 0.5t3 with time in
seconds and position x in m.
A. Find the Instantaneous velocity at 2.0 s.
B. Calculate the average velocity between 1.0 s to 3.0 s.
SOLUTION: x(t) = 3.0t + 0.5t3 @ t = 1.0 s
= 3.0 (1.0) + 0.5 (1.0) 3
A. We can calculate the instantaneous velocity at a
= 3.5 m
specific time by taking the derivative of the position
x(t) = 3.0t + 0.5t3 @ t = 3.0 s
function, which gives us the functional form of
= 3.0(3) + 0.5(3)3
instantaneous velocity v(t).
= 22.5 m
x(t) = 3.0t + 0.5t3 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑖
From the formula: V ave =
V(t) = 3.0 + 1.5 t2 @ t = 2.0 s 𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡𝑖
𝟐𝟐.𝟓 𝒎 − 𝟑.𝟓 𝒎
V(t) = 3.0 + 1.5 (2.0) 2 =
𝟑.𝟎 𝒔 −𝟏.𝟎 𝒔
V(t) = 9 m/s = 9.5 m/s
B. To determine the average velocity of the particle The average velocity between 1.0 s to 3.0 s is 9.5
between 1.0 s and 3.0 s, we calculate the values of m/s.
x(1.0 s) and x(3.0 s):
The equations of motion with constant acceleration
Equation of Motion Variables Present

𝑣2 = 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡 • Initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration, time

1 2
• Displacement (x – x0), initial velocity, time,
∆𝑑 = ∆𝑡 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡
2 acceleration
𝑣1 +𝑣2 ∆𝑡 • Displacement, initial velocity, final velocity,
∆𝑑 =
2 time

𝑣2 2 = 𝑣1 2 + 2𝑎 ∆𝑑 • Initial velocity, final velocity, acceleration,

displacement
A motorcycle has a constant acceleration of 2.5 m/s2. Both the velocity and acceleration of the motorcycle point in the
same direction. How much time is required for the motorcycle to change its speed from (a) 21 to 31 m/s, and (b) And if
the motorcycle change its speed from 51 to 61 m/s?
Given:
a = 2.5 m/s2
Required:
a. time is required for the motorcycle to change its speed from 21 to 31 m/s
b. time is required if the motorcycle change its speed from 51 to 61 m/s?
Solution:
a. time is required for the motorcycle to b. time is required if the motorcycle
change its speed from 21 to 31 m/s change its speed from 51 to 61 m/s?

USING THE EQUATION: 𝑣2 = 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡

𝑣2 = 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡
61 = 51 + (2.5) ∆𝑡

31 = 21 + (2.5) ∆𝑡
∆𝑡 = 4 s
∆𝑡 = 4 s
A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly over a time of 5.21 seconds for a distance of 110 m. Determine the
acceleration of the car.
Given:
t = 5.21 s vo = 0 m/s
d = 110 m
Required:
a=?
Solution:
1 2
∆𝑑 = ∆𝑡 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡
2
1 2
110 = (5.21𝑠)(0 𝑚/𝑠) + (𝑎) 5.21
2

a = 8.10 m/s2
A race car accelerates uniformly from 18.5 m/s to 46.1 m/s in 2.47 seconds. Determine the acceleration of the car and
the distance traveled.
Given:
t = 2.47 s v1 = 18.5 m/s
v2 = 46.1 m/s
Required:
a=? d=?
Solution:
𝑣2 = 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡 𝑣1 +𝑣2 ∆𝑡
∆𝑑 =
2
46.1 m/s = 18.5 m/s + (𝑎) 2.47𝑠 18.5 + 46.1 2.47
∆𝑑 =
2
a = 11.2 m/s2
∆𝑑 = 79.78 𝑚
or
1 2
∆𝑑 = ∆𝑡 𝑣1 + 𝑎 ∆𝑡
2
1 2
∆𝑑 = (2.47)(18.5) + (11.2) 2.47
2

∆𝑑 = 79.86 𝑚