A particle moves in a straight line with a velocity that varies irregularly with time
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Motion in a Straight Line · Motion in a Straight Line
Problem
A particle moves in a straight line with a velocity that varies irregularly with time. The following tasks are based on the velocity–time description of its motion.
(i) Define instantaneous acceleration of a particle.
(ii) Draw a qualitative velocity–time graph for any motion in which the velocity is not uniform. On the same graph, mark a point P at time t0 and explain how the value of instantaneous acceleration at t0 can be obtained from the graph.
(iii) Using suitable arguments, justify why the instantaneous acceleration of a particle can be positive, negative, or zero even though the particle is in motion.