An object moves along a straight line and its velocity may have positive as well as…
PHYSICS · Subjective · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials
Problem
An object moves along a straight line and its velocity may have positive as well as negative values during the journey.
(i) Define displacement and distinguish it from distance travelled.
(ii) With the help of a neat, labelled sketch, describe how the displacement of the object can be obtained from its velocity–time graph when
(a) the velocity remains positive throughout, and
(b) the velocity becomes negative for a certain time interval.
(iii) A student claims, “The total distance covered by an object is always equal to the numerical value of the area enclosed between its velocity–time graph and the time axis.” State whether this statement is correct. Justify your answer clearly.