Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A Force vs. Time graph represents how the applied force on an object changes over time during an interaction or event. It shows how much force is being exerted at different moments during that event.
Net Force refers to the overall sum or resultant of all forces acting on an object at any given time. It can be determined by analyzing the Force vs. Time graph and finding the total area under the curve.
Impulse is the change in momentum of an object and is equal to the product of force and time. The area under a Force vs. Time graph represents impulse, as it measures how much force was applied over a certain period of time.
Acceleration is the rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. By examining the slope of a Force vs. Time graph, you can determine the acceleration experienced by an object during different intervals.