Q5.14 Figure 5.16 shows the position-time graph of a particle of mass 4 kg. What is the (a) force on the particle for?
(i) For t < 0 :
In this range, the position of the particle coincides with time, which implies no motion takes place. Hence net force on the particle is zero.
(ii) For t > 4 :
In this range, particle displacement is not changed, so the net force is zero.
(iii) For 0 < t < 4 :
In this range, the slope of the position-time graph is constant which means the particle is moving at a constant speed. Hence net force, in this case, is zero.