Nova Physics Graphs

[BoxAtDaRedLight]

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I am having trouble with the graphs in the 2nd Chapter of the NOVA review book. I just can't grasp it no matter what..

Example: An apple is tossed straight up in the air. The graph of y versus t is shown in figure 2.9, sketch the graphs of v versus t and a versus t.

I can't figure out how to do this.. Let me know if I should post the figure 2.9, or if someone can just explain the logic behind these graphs it would be nice. thanks.

 

[BoxAtDaRedLight]

Anyone?

 

[Catburr]

I am having trouble with the graphs in the 2nd Chapter of the NOVA review book. I just can't grasp it no matter what..

Example: An apple is tossed straight up in the air. The graph of y versus t is shown in figure 2.9, sketch the graphs of v versus t and a versus t.

I can't figure out how to do this.. Let me know if I should post the figure 2.9, or if someone can just explain the logic behind these graphs it would be nice. thanks.

You just have to think about what happens to an object tossed in the air as time passes. It's helpful to decide what you'll consider positive and negative. I like to set upward vectors (like initial velocity) as positive, and downward ones (like gravity) as negative.

Acceleration is constant, so what's that graph look like? This is the easiest one.

Constant acceleration means that velocity is changing at a constant rate. What does the slope of v vs t look like then? Think about how fast the apple's moving just after you let go, how fast it's moving at it's maximum height, and how fast it's moving right before you catch it again.

I'd say position over time is the least intuitive to graph, but I bet you can do it if you get v vs t. Velocity is changing at a constant rate, which means that velocity itself isn't constant. So how is position changing over time? When the magnitude of velocity is high, how is position changing over time? What about when the magnitude of velocity is small?

If you want, draw what you think they should look like on paint and post them here, I'll be glad to explain what's right/wrong about them.