Lim, Esther

Per.2 Physics
10/14/14

Constant Velocity and Acceleration Model

Constant Velocity Model
The constant velocity model shows the motion of an object with a constant speed over a
certain period of time. The position of an object with a constant velocity changes at a
constant rate over this period of time. An object with a constant velocity does not have
any acceleration.

Constant Acceleration Model

The constant acceleration model shows and describes the motion of an object moving
when the rate of change in velocity is constantly changing. It shows how fast the
velocity is increasing or decreasing over a certain period of time.

Position vs. Time Graph for Constant Velocity

x
The position vs. time graph shown represents an
objects position, where an object is in respect to its
reference frame, over a certain period of time. This
graph is linear and has a positive slope. We know it
has a constant velocity since the line is linear. In the
velocity vs. time graph, the objects velocity is constant

over time and does not change. For instance, a car

can be driving down freeway with a constant speed, a

bird can be flying through the sky at a constant speed,
or a sprinter can be running at a constant velocity
down the street.

Velocity vs. Time Graph for Constant Velocity

Position vs. Time Graph for Constant Acceleration

x
The position vs. time graph shows where an
object is over a certain period of time. In this
graph, the line is in the shape of a parabola.
To linearize this line and find the velocity vs.
time graph, we must square the t axis. When
you find the velocity vs. time graph, you see it

is a linear relation. The slope of this line is the

acceleration. Constant acceleration is seen

when an object is falling or a car is speeding

up on the freeway.

Velocity vs. Time Graph for Constant Acceleration

t
Acceleration vs. Time Graph for Constant Acceleration

t
Constant Velocity Equation
1. x=vt+xo or x=vt
This equation represents the objects final position by finding its velocity and multiplying
it by the period of time. You get this equation when looking at the velocity vs. time graph
and finding the area under the line. The area under the line represents the change in
position. Since this area is in the shape of a rectangle, you multiply the velocity and the
time (base and the height) together to find its area/ change in position. This way you
know the x=vt.
Constant Acceleration Equations
1. v=at+vo or v=at

This equation finds the objects final velocity by multiplying the acceleration and the
certain period of time together. To get this equation, find the area under the line of the
graph showing the objects constant acceleration because this area represents the
change in velocity. Since this area is in the shape of a rectangle, you multiply the
acceleration and the time (base and the height) together to get the area/change in
velocity.
2. x=1/2at2 +vot +xo or x=1/2at2+vot
This equation finds the objects change in position by finding half of the acceleration and
multiplying it by time squared and adding this to initial velocity times time. We know the
change in position can be found by finding the area under the line in the velocity vs.
time graph showing constant acceleration. The area under the velocity line is in the
shape of a triangle and a rectangle. So you get x=1/2at2+vot when the values are
plugged in.
3. x=1/2(vo+v)t +xo
This equation finds the objects position by finding half of the change of velocity and
multiplying by the time. We know the area under the line of the velocity graph is the
shape of a trapezoid, so we take the area of the trapezoid and fill it in with the proper
values to get this equation.
4. V2=vo2+2ax

Domain of Constant Velocity Reference Frame

1.
2.
3.
4.

Constant velocity reference frame.

Object has a constant velocity.
Object is described as a particle.
Non-relativistic speed
v<< speed of light

Domain of a Constant Acceleration Reference Frame

1.
2.
3.
4.

Constant velocity reference frame.

Object has a constant acceleration.
Object is described as a particle.
Non-relativistic speed
a<< speed of light

The constant velocity model can only work if the domain above is true and if we ignore
any air resistance opposing the motion and if the ground the object is traveling on is flat.
This model can show how far an object has traveled in respect to its reference frame.
We use this model in reality to find out more about an objects motion, but would not be
applicable if the object had a constant or changing acceleration.
The constant acceleration model only works if the domain above is true and if we ignore
any air resistance opposing the motion and if the ground the object is traveling on is flat.
With this model, we can find an objects position or its velocity over a certain period of
time in respect to its reference frame. This model is used to find out more about an
objects motion. This model can help us approximate where an object may be at a
certain time, or how fast it is moving, although we do have air resistance. This model is
useless when the objects acceleration is zero or constantly changing.
The constant acceleration model and the constant velocity model are similar because
both can help find an objects motion. They can help describe its motion. A
misconception in this lab was with negative signs. Instead of them meaning less than or
greater than, they mean direction of an object. We use these models everyday to find
how far an object can travel. We use these models to try and figure out how fast a
rollercoaster cart can go before and how long it will take to stop.
Constant Velocity Equation:
A runner is running at a constant speed of 18 km/h. How far will he travel in 1.5 hours?
So we take the constant velocity equation x=vt and plug in the values. So x= 18
km/h* 1.5 h. which equals 27 km.
Constant Acceleration Problem:
A car goes from 70 m/s to rest in 7 s. What is its acceleration?
We take the equation a=v-vo/t. We plug in the values to get a=(0 m/s-70m/s)/7s to get
a=-70m/s/7s. so a= -10m/s2.