Question

the graph below describes the motion of a fly that starts out going left.
calculate the acceleration of the fly during the 15 sec graph. (4b)
1 m/s right
15 m/s right
1 m/s left
15 m/s left

Explanation:

Step1: Determine the formula for acceleration

Acceleration \(a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}\), where \(\Delta v = v_{final}-v_{initial}\) and \(\Delta t=t_{final}-t_{initial}\).

Step2: Identify \(v_{initial}\), \(v_{final}\), \(t_{initial}\), and \(t_{final}\) from the graph

Assume the initial velocity \(v_{initial}=- 15\ m/s\) (left - direction is negative) and the final velocity \(v_{final}=0\ m/s\) at \(t = 15\ s\), \(t_{initial}=0\ s\).

Step3: Calculate \(\Delta v\) and \(\Delta t\)

\(\Delta v=v_{final}-v_{initial}=0 - (-15)=15\ m/s\)
\(\Delta t=t_{final}-t_{initial}=15 - 0=15\ s\)

Step4: Calculate acceleration

\(a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}=\frac{15}{15}=1\ m/s^{2}\). Since the velocity is increasing (from negative to zero), the direction is to the right.

Answer:

1 m/s right