Determining instantaneous velocity and average velocity using a graph.

  1. The position of a rabbit along a straight tunnel as a function of time is plotted in Fig. 2-26.
    Here's the figure:

    Determine its instantaneous velocity at the following times.
    (a) t = 5.0 s
    (b) t = 30.0 s

    Determine its average velocity between the following times.
    (c) t = 0 and t = 5.0 s
    (d) t = 25.0 s and t = 30.0 s
    (e) t = 45.0 s and t = 50.0 s

    a) I tried to find the slope of the straight line through [0,20] seconds by taking two points in it and take delta x / delta t

    b) I drrew a tangent line to the curve at t = 30 then find its slope.

    For c , d , & e the avg v is:

    (Xfinal - Xinitial)/(t final - t initial)

    but still, I could not find an answer for any of them. It seems as if nothing is working.
    Last edited: Jul 21, 2009
  2. jcsd
  3. tiny-tim

    tiny-tim 26,041
    Science Advisor
    Homework Helper

    Welcome to PF!

    Hi Crescent! Welcome to PF! :wink:

  4. djeitnstine

    djeitnstine 619
    Gold Member

    Where is your working?

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