Question

Acceleration can be found using a speed-time graph. Please select the best answer from the choices provided T F

Answer 1

False

Step-by-step explanation:

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity:

`a=(\Delta v)/(\Delta t)`

On a speed-time graph, the slope of the curve gives the magnitude of the acceleration. In fact, the slope of the curve in a speed- time graph is

`m=(\Delta y)/(\Delta x)`

where

`\Delta y` is the increment in the y-variable, so it corresponds to the change in speed

`\Delta x` is the increment in the x-variable, so it corresponds to the change in time

so the slope corresponds to

`m=(\Delta v)/(\Delta t)`

which is the magnitude of the velocity. However, in order to define acceleration we need an additional piece of information: the direction. Since speed is a scalar, direction of motion is not provided, so we cannot fully define acceleration from a speed-time graph.