A2L Item 169

• Description: Find instantaneous acceleration given a velocity/time graph.
• Goal: Link acceleration to the slope of a velocity/time graph
• Source: CT151.2-6
• Keywords: Velocity, Mechanics, Graphing, Acceleration

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The question for students:

An object’s motion is described by the graph above. The instantaneous acceleration at t=10 sec is most nearly…

1. 0 m/s²
2. -2 m/s²
3. 3 m/s²
4. -4 m/s²
5. 5 m/s²
6. Other

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Commentary for teachers:

Answer

(1) Useful follow-up questions include; when does the object have positive acceleration, when negative acceleration; does the object ever stop?; when is it farthest from the origin?

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