describing graphs

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course phy201

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Given Solution:

`a** The speed of the car increases so it goes further each second. On a graph of distance vs. clock time there would be a greater change in distance with each second, which would cause a greater slope with each subsequent second. The graph would therefore be increasing at an increasing rate. **

STUDENT COMMENT

I don’t fully understand a distance vs. time graph.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

If y represents the distance from you to the car and t represents the time in seconds since the car started out, then the graph of y vs. t is a graph of distance vs. clock time.

The car is speeding up, so in any series of equal time intervals it moves further with each new interval.

The distance it moves on an interval is represented by the difference between the y coordinates, so if it move further during an interval the 'rise' of the graph on that interval will be greater. If the intervals are equally spaced along the t axis, the result is an increasing graph with increasing slope.

This is best understood by sketching the graph according to this description.

STUDENT QUESTION

I understand the clock time but could you give me some examples of numbers to sketch a graph. I am drawing a

blank to how to make myself understand.?????

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

If the car's velocity for the first second averages 1 ft / sec, then in subsequent second 3 ft / sec, then 5 ft / sec, then 7

ft / sec, it will move 1 foot during the first second, 3 feet during the next, 5 feet during the next and 7 feet during the

next.

A graph of velocity vs. clock time would be a straight line, since the velocity increases by the same amount every second.

However the positions of the car, as measured from the starting point, would be

position 1 foot after 1 second

position 4 feet after 2 seconds (the position changes by 3 feet, started this second at 1 ft, so the car ends up with

position 4 feet)

position 9 feet after 3 seconds (the position changes by 5 feet, started this second at 4 ft, so the car ends up with

position 9 feet)

position 16 feet after 4 seconds (the position changes by 7 feet, started this second at 9 ft, so the car ends up with

position 16 feet)

So the graph of position vs. clock time has positions 0, 1, 4, 9 and 16 feet after 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 seconds, respectively.

The position vs. clock time graph is therefore increasing at an increasing rate.

Let me know if this doesn't answer your question.

STUDENT QUESTION

I still don’t totally understand why it would necessarily be increasing at an increasing rate. Couldn’t it be a decreasing

or even a standard rate as I mentioned above?

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

If the car speeds up then its distance from its starting position increases at an increasing rate.

Its speed might be increasing at an increasing, constant or decreasing rate, but not its position.

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