In uniform rectilinear motion, velocity is constant and the graph of velocity versus time (V x t) is a constant line parallel to the abscissa axis.
In uniformly varied rectilinear motion, acceleration is constant and velocity is variable with time. The function that determines the speed of a mobile at any time is as follows:
V = V0 + αT
This is a function of the first degree, where α is the constant acceleration of the body at any instant.
As it is a function of the first degree, its graph is a straight line that can take different shapes according to the sign of the acceleration (α>0 or α<0).
If the acceleration is positive (α>0), the velocity can assume one of the following graphic aspects:
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Positive initial velocity
Initial null speed
Negative initial velocity
If the acceleration is negative (α<0), we have that the graph of velocity versus time can take the following forms:
Positive initial velocity
Initial null speed
Negative initial velocity
By Marco Aurélio da Silva
Brazil School Team
mechanics - Physics - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SANTOS, Marco Aurélio da Silva. "Graphical representation of scalar velocity as a function of time"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/fisica/representacao-grafica-velocidade-escalar-funcao-tempo.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
