1-D Kinematics: Audio Guided Solution

Mechanics: 1-Dimensional Kinematics

The velocity-time graph below represents the motion of a car on a city street.

Use the graph to determine the acceleration values of the car at ...

a. 1.4 seconds.
b. 6.8 seconds.
c. 11.6 seconds.
d. 17.6 seconds.

a. 2.0 m/s/s
b. 0.0 m/s/s
c. 6.0 m/s/s
d. -2.0 m/s/s

Read the problem carefully and develop a mental picture of the physical situation. If necessary, sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help you visualize it.
Identify the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner. Equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity - e.g., v_o = 0 m/s; a = 4.2 m/s/s; v_f = 22.9 m/s; d = ???.
Use physics formulas and conceptual reasoning to plot a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity.
Identify the appropriate formula(s) to use.
Perform substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.

Get more information on the topic of Kinematics at The Physics Classroom Tutorial.

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