What Does an Acceleration vs Time Graph Reveal About Motion?

In summary, the position versus time graph describes velocity, the velocity versus time graph tells acceleration, and in the acceleration versus time graph, it describes a jerk (rate of change in acceleration). There are many factors that can affect acceleration, such as changes in net force. The basic formula that involves acceleration is Newton's Second Law, F=ma.
  • #1
SunakoNakahara
1
0
If the position versus time graph describes velocity and if the velocity versus time graph tells acceleration..
In acceleration versus time graph, it describes a jerk(rate of change in acceleration)..



Do you have any idea why acceleration is not constant?
Are there any factors involved?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
SunakoNakahara said:
If the position versus time graph describes velocity and if the velocity versus time graph tells acceleration..
In acceleration versus time graph, it describes a jerk(rate of change in acceleration)..



Do you have any idea why acceleration is not constant?
Are there any factors involved?

It just means that the net force is not constant. Something happens that changes the net force
 
  • #3
SunakoNakahara said:
If the position versus time graph describes velocity and if the velocity versus time graph tells acceleration..
In acceleration versus time graph, it describes a jerk(rate of change in acceleration)..



Do you have any idea why acceleration is not constant?
Are there any factors involved?

In future, please use the homework posting template provided when you begin a new thread in the homework section of Physics Forums. This is a requirement.

What basic formula do you know that involves acceleration? (hint: think of Newton!).
 

FAQ: What Does an Acceleration vs Time Graph Reveal About Motion?

1. What is acceleration?

Acceleration is the rate at which the velocity of an object changes over time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

2. How is acceleration calculated?

Acceleration can be calculated using the formula: acceleration (a) = change in velocity (Δv) / change in time (Δt). This can also be written as a = (vf - vi) / (tf - ti), where vf is the final velocity, vi is the initial velocity, tf is the final time, and ti is the initial time.

3. What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?

Velocity is the rate of change of an object's position, while acceleration is the rate of change of an object's velocity. In other words, velocity tells us how fast an object is moving and in what direction, while acceleration tells us how quickly an object's velocity is changing.

4. How does acceleration affect an object's motion?

Acceleration directly affects an object's motion by changing its velocity. If the acceleration is positive, the object's velocity will increase over time. If the acceleration is negative, the object's velocity will decrease over time. If the acceleration is zero, the object's velocity will remain constant.

5. How can acceleration vs time graphs be used to analyze motion?

Acceleration vs time graphs can provide valuable information about an object's motion. The slope of the graph represents the object's acceleration, and the area under the graph represents the object's change in velocity. By analyzing the shape and characteristics of the graph, we can determine the direction and magnitude of an object's acceleration, as well as its initial and final velocities.

Similar threads

Why would this be accelerating positively?
Replies
6
Views
440
A child rolls a marble....Plot graphs etc.
Replies
4
Views
5K
Velocity-time graph given. Plot acceleration vs time etc.
Replies
1
Views
8K
Use the data to construct a graph etc.
Replies
23
Views
4K
How to Determine Acceleration from a Velocity-Time Graph?
Replies
5
Views
2K
Exploring the Acceleration of a Projectile Motion Lab
Replies
8
Views
2K
Finding acceleration from Velocity vs Position graph
Replies
2
Views
3K
Inconsistency in a Velocity-Time Graph
Replies
13
Views
3K
Experimentally calculating the acceleration due to gravity
Replies
13
Views
2K
Finding the change in velocity from an acceleration vs time graph
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top