Question

3 multiple choice 1 point
how do you go from a velocity vs time (v-t) graph to average displacement over a time interval?
find the signed area under the v-t curve over that time interval.
find the y-intercept of the v-t graph.
find the slope of the v-t graph.
multiply the maximum velocity by the total time.

Explanation:

• The y-intercept of a v-t graph represents initial velocity, not displacement.
• The slope of a v-t graph represents acceleration, not displacement.
• Multiplying maximum velocity by total time only gives displacement for constant maximum velocity, not average displacement for any v-t graph.
• By definition, displacement from a velocity-time graph is the signed area under the curve over the time interval (positive area for positive velocity, negative for negative velocity, which sums to net displacement).

Answer:

Find the signed area under the v-t curve over that time interval.