Different Cases in Acceleration – Time Graph

Different Cases in Acceleration – Time Graph

Acceleration is the rate at which the velocity changes with respect to time. It is measured in m/ sec² in standard unit system. To obtain acceleration vs. time graph we plot acceleration on y-axis and time on x-axis. There are three possible cases that we arrive on:

1. Particle is Moving with Constant Acceleration: Let at time t = 0, acceleration is a₀. Since acceleration is constant, so acceleration at any further time will remain a₀. Hence, acceleration – time graph for a particle moving with constant acceleration is a straight line parallel to time axis.

Particle is Moving with Constant Acceleration

2. Particle is Moving with Increasing Acceleration at Constant Rate: Acceleration – Time graph for a particle moving with increasing acceleration at constant rate is a straight line making an acute angle α with time axis. Graph will be straight line because acceleration is increasing at constant rate.

Particle is Moving with Increasing Acceleration

3. Particle is Moving with Decreasing Acceleration at Constant Rate: Acceleration – Time graph for a particle moving with decreasing acceleration at constant rate is a straight line making an obtuse angle α with time axis. The graph will be a straight line because acceleration is decreasing at constant rate. Let at t = 0, acceleration is a₀. At sometime t = t₀, acceleration becomes zero and then it becomes negative.

Particle is Moving with Decreasing Acceleration