Thread: Acceleration-Time Graph

I have two physics questions:

(a) What does the area under the acceleration-time graph represent? (Hint: it is NOT velocity or speed).

(b) What is a particle doing when the graph is above or below the axis? (Hint: a graph below the axis does NOT necessarily mean deceleration).

Originally Posted by demode

I have two physics questions:

(a) What does the area under the acceleration-time graph represent? (Hint: it is NOT velocity or speed).

(b) What is a particle doing when the graph is above or below the axis? (Hint: a graph below the axis does NOT necessarily mean deceleration).

I suggest you review your class notes or textbook.

(a) Change in velocity.

(b) Above the axis: a > 0. Below the axis: a < 0. Note that if a < 0 for long enough the particle will slow down, stop and then move in the 'negative direction' ....