Question

The velocity-time graph as shown in the figure below shows the motion of a cyclist. Find

(i) its acceleration

(ii) its velocity

(iii) the distance covered by the cyclist in $15$ seconds.

Answer 1

Step 1: Given diagram

According to the velocity-time graph,

Step 2: Finding the acceleration

As from the graph, the velocity is constant.

Acceleration is equal to zero as the velocity is not changing, i.e, constant, and acceleration can be defined as the rate of change of the velocity.

Step 3: Finding Velocity

From the graph, velocity is constant and equal to $20m{s}^{-1}$.

So, the velocity is $20m{s}^{-1}$.

Step 3: Finding the distance covered by the cyclist in $15$ seconds.

From the equation of motion,

$s=u\times t$

where, $u$ is velocity and $t$ is time.

Substituting $u=20m{s}^{-1}$ and $t=15s$ ,

$$\begin{gathered} s=u\times t \\ s=20\times 15 \\ s=300m \end{gathered}$$

Hence, the distance covered by the cyclist in $15$ seconds is $300m$.