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From graphs to motion: reading the story

Free notes · JEE Main Physics

Formulas

v=dxdt, a=dvdtv = \frac{dx}{dt},\ a = \frac{dv}{dt}

Graph slopes as derivatives

Worked example

A body moves with v = 10 m/s for 3 s, then v = 5 m/s for 2 s in the same direction. Find the total distance.

  1. Distance = area under the v–t graph.
  2. 10×3 + 5×2 = 30 + 10 = 40 m.

Answer: 40