Figure 2.11shows the x-t plot of one dimensional motion of a particle. Is it correct to say from the graph that the particle moves in a straight line for t < 0 and on a parabolic path for t >0 ? If not, suggest a suitable physical context for this graph.
Figure 2.11

Question

A car starts from rest and accelerates uniformly at 3 m/s\textsuperscript{2. What will be its velocity after 5 seconds?}

Answer 1

The position-time graph helps to find the body's position at any given moment but does not provide information about its trajectory.

For time t < 0, x = constant, indicating that the particle is at rest.

For t > 0, x = k t² (a parabola), the body moves in a straight line, which represents one-dimensional motion.

Context: A body is dropped from a tower (x = 0) at t = 0.

Solution and Explanation