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-   -   Instantaneous Velocity (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=629615)

  • Jan 22, 2012, 04:57 PM
    volley512
    1 Attachment(s)
    Instantaneous Velocity
    What would the instantaneous velocity be on this graph at
    t = 4.5s and t = 7.5 s
  • Jan 23, 2012, 03:49 AM
    Aurora2000
    This graph represents the position x as function of time t. The instantaneous velocity is given by the derivative dx/dt, which corresponds to the tangent direction in the graph.

    From the graph you have a flat line between t=4s and t=5s, thus at t=4.5s the instantaneous velocity is 0. For t=7.5s I will assume that at t=7s you have x=-5m, while at t=8s you have x=0. From t=7s to t=8s you have a straight segment. Thus the instantaneous at t=7.5s is 5m/s.
  • Jan 23, 2012, 07:00 AM
    ebaines
    [QUOTE=Aurora2000;3008427] The instantaneous velocity is given by the derivative dx/dt, which corresponds to the tangent direction in the graph.[QUOTE]

    A simpler explanation, as a would guess that the OP hasn't studied derivatives yet: velocity is the change in position per unit time, which means it's equal to the slope of the position-versus-time graph.

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