CAIE A-Level Physics 2.1.5 Acceleration from a Velocity–Time Graph

Practise calculating acceleration from straight-line or tangent gradients on velocity-time graphs, interpreting sign and changing velocity with units.

Exam points

Determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity–time graph.
Calculate or interpret average or instantaneous gradient, including sign and changing velocity.
Report acceleration with correct units and explain its physical meaning.

[Maximum number: 2]

The string is now used to move the cylinder in (a) vertically upwards through the water. The variation with time t of the velocity v of the cylinder is shown in Fig. 2.2.

Fig. 2.2

Use Fig. 2.2 to determine the acceleration of the cylinder at time $t=2.0 \mathrm{~s}$ .
acceleration = $\mathrm{ms}^{-2}$

a=(v-u) / t or $(\Delta) v /(\Delta) t$ or gradient

C1

$\begin{aligned} =\text { e.g. } 8.0 \times 10^{-2} / 2.0 =4.0 \times 10^{-2} \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~s}^{-2} \end{aligned}$

A1

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2.1.5—Acceleration using the gradient of a velocity–time graph question 1