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The tangent line to a curved position vs. time graph at t = 25 s touches the curve's tangent line at the points (19 s, 1300 m) and (32 s, 3120 m). What is the instantaneous velocity at t = 25 s?
A57 m/s
B98 m/s
C140 m/s
D165 m/s
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: C. 140 m/s
1. The instantaneous velocity at a point on a curve equals the slope of the tangent line there.
2. slope = (3120 m - 1300 m) / (32 s - 19 s).
3. slope = 1820 m / 13 s = 140 m/s.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 2 "Motion in One Dimension", section 2.3 Position vs. Time Graphs_
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