10.5k views
3 votes
A cheetah chases a gazelle, reaching a speed of 28 m/s . A graph of the cheetahs velocity over time is shown below where rightward is the positive velocity direction

User Makia
by
7.0k points

1 Answer

4 votes

The graph of the cheetahs velocity over time is missing, so i have attached it.

Also, we are asked to find out which graph shows the cheetahs acceleration over time.

Answer:

Option A

Step-by-step explanation:

From the attached graph of the velocity over time, we can see the velocity line from an initial velocity of 0 to a final velocity of 28 m/s.

We also observe the following from the graph;

after 1 second, the velocity is 4 m/s

After 2 seconds, the velocity is 8 m/s

After 3 seconds, the velocity is 12 m/s

After 7 seconds, the velocity is 28 m/s

Now, from Newton's equation of motion, final velocity is;

v = u + at

u is initial velocity and in this case is zero.

Thus; v = at

a = v/t

At first point above;

a = 4/1 = 4 m/s²

At second point above;

a = 8/2 = 4 m/s²

At third point above;

a = 12/3 = 4 m/s²

At fourth point above;

a = 28/7 = 4 m/²

We can see that the acceleration at each point is 4 m/s². This means it is a constant acceleration and the graph that best represents this is Graph in Option A as it shows the acceleration is 4 m/s² all through.

A cheetah chases a gazelle, reaching a speed of 28 m/s . A graph of the cheetahs velocity-example-1
A cheetah chases a gazelle, reaching a speed of 28 m/s . A graph of the cheetahs velocity-example-2
User Looki
by
6.7k points