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The graph below plots the position versus time for an object moving in one dimension along the x direction What is the speed of the magnitude?

The graph below plots the position versus time for an object moving in one dimension-example-1
User Mbr Mbr
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1 Answer

14 votes
14 votes

In a graph where position is the dependent variable and time is the independent, the slope of the graph (or the slope of the tangent at a point if the graph is curved) represents the velocity. The absolute value of velocity is speed.

First let's calculate the slope of the graph at t = 2.5.

slope = change in y/change in x

change in x is 4s - 1s = 3

change in y is 1m - 5m = -4

slope = -4/3

Therefore, the velocity is -4/3 m/s, so the speed is 4/3 m/s.

User Mark Zucchini
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