The velocity-time “v-t” graphs are another common type of graph you'll run across that describe motion of an object. The shape and slope of the lines on the graph will tell you a lot about what's going on with the motion of the object, and here's how you decipher it: If the line is a straight, horizontal line, then the velocity stayed constant and there's no acceleration, like when you're driving on the freeway. Your car is moving at a steady 65 mph in a straight line.
However, if you're at a stoplight that just turned green, you're going to start changing your velocity by increasing your speed, giving you a positive acceleration. The graph will be a straight line starting at the origin and moving uphill. The slope of the line is positive, indicating your positive acceleration.
So can you tell if an object is moving in a positive or negative direction? Yes! A positive velocity means an object is moving in a positive direction, so if the line is in the positive region of the graph, you know it's traveling in a positive direction. By the same logic, if the slope is in the negative regions of the graph, the object is traveling in a negative direction. For slopes crossing the axis, the object is changing directions.
Can you figure out if an object is speeding up or slowing down? Yes again! Speeding up means that the magnitude of the velocity is increasing in value (the number only, ignoring the plus or minus sign), so if the line is moving away from the x-axis, it's speeding up. And if it's approaching the x-axis, it's slowing down.
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However, if you're at a stoplight that just turned green, you're going to start changing your velocity by increasing your speed, giving you a positive acceleration. The graph will be a straight line starting at the origin and moving uphill. The slope of the line is positive, indicating your positive acceleration.
So can you tell if an object is moving in a positive or negative direction? Yes! A positive velocity means an object is moving in a positive direction, so if the line is in the positive region of the graph, you know it's traveling in a positive direction. By the same logic, if the slope is in the negative regions of the graph, the object is traveling in a negative direction. For slopes crossing the axis, the object is changing directions.
Can you figure out if an object is speeding up or slowing down? Yes again! Speeding up means that the magnitude of the velocity is increasing in value (the number only, ignoring the plus or minus sign), so if the line is moving away from the x-axis, it's speeding up. And if it's approaching the x-axis, it's slowing down.
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Yes indeed, we use math during flight. We need to calculate how much fuel is needed for a flight, or the rate of decent or ascent when changing altitude. We also need to calculate estimated times of arrival. We also use geometry when navigating.
do you use this math in flight?
We actually don’t represent direction in v-t graphs. But if you were drawing a vector diagram, and north is represented by the positive direction, you would follow the same directions as a compass. That means a vector pointing to the left represents travel to the west, and a vector pointing to the right represents travel to the east.
If North is in the positive direction, how do you represent East or West? It could be that someone was driving N then turned E.
Thanks,
Jen
This video, with its examples graphed out, makes a lot more sense than the “p-t graph” video.
I’ll have my team connect with you right away!
Hi. This is Andrea’s Mom – Cindy. I signed up for a family plan. We are having a lot of trouble with this. Each of my kids has a sign in name and password, but they seem to combined into one. I thought there was a parents area to sign in also. Can you tell me what I have missed, and what I need to do to reset my kids passwords, etc.? Thanks, Cindy