The area under a curve does not have the dimensions of normal area. A graph is a representation of data, not a picture of acreage. The units of area under a curve are the units of the vertical axis x the units of the horizontal axis. For example, areas under a v vs t curve have units of meters ( or cm if you use cm) /sec x sec = m ( or cm)
units of an acceleration vs t (a vs t) curve are m/s^2 x s = m/s Thus the area under the a vs t curve equals change in velocity.
Areas under force vs position curves have units of Newtons ( units of force) x meters or Joules. Note that area under force vs position has units of work (Joules) since work = force x displacement. ( honors should understand this, AP will soon).
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment