EXAMPLE 2.2
Slowly Moving Train
GOAL Obtain average and instantaneous velocities from a graph.
PROBLEM A train moves slowly along a straight portion of track according to versus time in the left hand figure. (a) Find the average velocity for the total average velocity during the first 4.00 s of motion. (c) Find the average velocity of motion. (d) Find the instantaneous velocity at t = 2.00 s (e) Find the instantaneous velocity at = 9.00 s.
STRATEGY The average velocities can be obtained by substituting the data into instantaneous velocity at t = 2.00 s is the same as the average velocity at that po vs. time graph is a straight line, indicating constant velocity. Finding the instantan 9.00 s requires sketching a line tangent to the curve at that point and finding its s
SOLUTION