Graphical Representations
One way to graphically represent constant acceleration is to draw a velocity versus time graph. By the definition:
Latex |
---|
\begin{large}\[ a = \frac{dv}{dt}\]\end{large} |
it is clear that the acceleration is equal to the slope of such a graph, so that if the acceleration is constant, the velocity versus time graph will necessarily be linear.
Another way to graphically represent acceleration is to note that the equation:
Latex |
---|
\begin{large}\[ x_{f} = x_{i} + v_{i}(t_{f}-t_{i}) + \frac{1}{2}a(t_{f}-t_{i})^{2}\]\end{large} |
implies that for the case of constant acceleration, the position versus time graph describing the motion will be a parabola.