2016/02/17

Applications

MEC2023F

MEC2023F

Rectilinear Motion
In many experiments, a velocity versus position (v-s)
profile is obtained.

Lecture 3

If we have a v-s graph for the tank truck, how can we

determine its acceleration along the trip?
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Applications

MEC2023F

Erratic Motion

MEC2023F

Graphing provides a good way

to handle complex motions that
would be difficult to describe
with formulas.
Graphs also provide a visual
description of motion and
reinforce the calculus concepts
of differentiation and integration
as used in dynamics.

The velocity of a car is recorded from an experiment. The

car starts from rest and travels along a straight track.
If we know the v-t plot, how can we determine the distance
the car traveled during the time interval 0 < t < 30 s or
15 < t < 25 s?
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s-t Graph

The approach builds on the facts that slope and

differentiation are linked and that integration can be thought
of as finding the area under a curve.
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MEC2023F

v-t Graph

Plots of velocity vs. time can be used

to find acceleration vs. time curves.
Finding the slope of the line tangent to
the velocity curve at any point is the

acceleration at that point (or = ).

Plots of position vs. time can

be used to find velocity vs.
time curves. Finding the slope
of the line tangent to the
motion curve at any point is
the velocity at that point
(or v = ds/dt).

Therefore, the acceleration vs. time (or

a-t) graph can be constructed by finding
the slope at various points along the v-t
graph.

Therefore, the v-t graph can

be constructed by finding the
slope at various points along
the s-t graph.
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MEC2023F

Also, the distance moved

(displacement) of the particle is the area
under the v-t graph during time t.
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2016/02/17

a-t Graph

MEC2023F

Given the acceleration vs. time

or a-t curve, the change in
velocity (v) during a time
period is the area under the a-t
curve.
So we can construct a v-t graph
from an a-t graph if we know the
initial velocity of the particle.

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a-s Graph

A more complex case is presented by

the acceleration versus position or a-s
graph. The area under the a-s curve
represents the change in velocity
(recall
= ).
1
2

(1 2 0 2 ) =

= area under the a-s graph

This equation can be solved for v1,

allowing you to solve for the velocity
at a point. By doing this repeatedly,
you can create a plot of velocity
versus distance.

MEC2023F

Graphical Interpretations

Another complex case is presented by

the v-s graph. By reading the velocity
v at a point on the curve and
multiplying it by the slope of the
curve (dv/ds) at this same point, we
can obtain the acceleration at that
point.
Recall the formula =

MEC2023F
2

2 1 = (area under v-t curve)

2

2 1 = (area under a-t curve)

Thus, we can obtain an a-s plot from

the v-s curve.
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1 2
12 = (area under a-s curve)
2 2
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MEC2023F

A sports car is moving along a straight road with the s-t

graph shown. Find the v-t graph and a-t graph over the
time interval shown.
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v-s Graph

Example 3.1

MEC2023F

Example 3.2

MEC2023F

For the 0 - 48 s interval on the v-t graph shown, find

a) the a-t graph,
b) the average speed,
c) and distance traveled.
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2016/02/17

Example 3.3

MEC2023F

A particle starts from rest at x = -2 m and moves along the xaxis with the velocity history shown. Plot the corresponding
acceleration and the displacement histories for the 2 seconds.
Find the time t when the particle crosses the origin.

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Example 3.4

MEC2023F

During an 8-second interval the velocity of a particle moving in

a straight line varies with time as shown. Within reasonable
limits of accuracy, determine the amount a by which the
acceleration at t = 4 s exceeds the average acceleration during
the interval. What is the displacement s during the interval?

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Homework

MEC2023F

Engineering Mechanics:
Dynamics
Meriam & Kraige (7ed)

2/39
2/42
2/47

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