Question

Fig. shows `x-t` plot of one dimensional motion a particle. Is it correct to say from the graph that the particle moves in a straight line for ` t lt 0` and on a parabolic path form ` t gt 0 `? If not, suggest a suitable physical context for this graph.

Answer 1

The x–t graph of a particle moving in a straight line for t lt 0 and on a parabolic path for t gt 0 cannot be shown as the given graph. This is because, the given particle does not follow the trajectory of path followed by the particle as t = 0, x = 0. A physical situation that resembles the above graph is of a freely falling body held for sometime at a height