Consider a piecewise-linear position-time description of a moving object given by the…

PHYSICS · Numerical · A Level · Physics · Mechanics and materials · Mechanics and materials

Problem

Consider a piecewise-linear position-time description of a moving object given by the points

(0\,\text{s},0\,\text{m})\to(2\,\text{s},10\,\text{m})\to(4\,\text{s},10\,\text{m})\to(7\,\text{s},0\,\text{m})

, with straight-line segments between listed points. Determine the instantaneous velocity at

t=5\,\text{s}

, interpreted as the slope of the position-time segment containing

t=5\,\text{s}