how do you find the initial velocity on a velocity time graph
To find the initial velocity on a velocity-time graph, you need to identify the starting point of the graph. The initial velocity, which is represented by the slope of the graph at that point, can be found by determining the value of the y-coordinate (velocity) at the very beginning of the graph.
Here are the steps to find the initial velocity:
1. Examine the velocity-time graph and locate the starting point.
- The starting point is the point where the time value is zero (t = 0).
2. Identify the y-coordinate (velocity) at the starting point.
- Look at the value of the velocity (y-coordinate) at t = 0.
3. Determine the value of the initial velocity.
- The value of the y-coordinate at t = 0 represents the initial velocity.
For example, if the velocity at t = 0 is 10 m/s, then the initial velocity is 10 m/s.
Remember that the slope of a velocity-time graph represents acceleration. So, at the starting point (t = 0) where the graph begins, the slope is essentially the derivative of the velocity and represents the initial velocity.