Question

The accompanying graph of position $x$ versus time $t$ represents the motion of a particle. If $p$ and $q$ are both positive constants, the expression that best describes the acceleration $a$ of the particle is

• A. $a=-p-q t$
• B. $a=-p+q t$
• C. $a=p+q t$
• D. $a=p-q t$

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

We have following observations from position $x$ versus time $t$ graph.

From above graph we can draw following velocity $v$ versus time $t$ graph.

So, acceleration of given particle is initially positive but with time it becomes negative.
Hence, $a=p-q t$ is best suited option.