Acceleration Graphs
From Am. Journal of Physics, Vol. 62, No. 8, August 1994 (Robert J. Beichner)
1. Acceleration vs. time graphs for five objects are shown below. All axes have the same
scale. Which object had the greatest change in velocity during the interval?
* B. The change in velocity is the area under the curve of the acceleration graph. Graph B has
the greatest area.
2. Five objects move according to the following acceleration vs. time graphs. Which object
has the smallest change in velocity during the three second interval?
* A. The change in velocity is the area under the acceleration curve. The first graph has the
smallest area.
3. Which of the above graphs represent(s) motion at constant velocity?
a. I, II and IV.
b. I and III.
c. II and V.
d. IV only.
e. V only.
* B. Motion at constant velocity means position graph is linear, velocity graph is flat line,
and acceleration graph is flat line on X-axis (a=0).
4. The following represents an acceleration graph during a 5 second time interval.
Which of the following graphs of velocity vs. time would best represent the object's motion
during the same time interval? Note: the magnitude of the positive acceleration (from 4 to 5)
is less than the magnitude of the negative acceleration (from 1 to 3).
I want to hear arguments for A or E tomorrow!!!!
We need something that has a zero slope, negative slope, zero slope, and then a positive
slope!!!!
5. An object moves according to the graph below. The object's change in velocity during the
first three seconds of motion was:
a. 0.66 m/s.
b. 1.0 m/s.
c. 3.0 m/s.
d. 4.5 m/s.
e. 9.8 m/s.
D
6. Consider the following graphs, noting the different axes. Which of these represent(s)
motion at constant, non-zero acceleration?
a. I, II, and IV.
b. I and III.
c. II and V.
d. IV only.
e. V only.
* C.
Constant acceleration means a flat line for acceleration, positive or negative sloped line for
velocity, and a parabola for position.