The graph represents the motion of a cyclist at the start of an Olympic race - Edexcel - GCSE Physics - Question 6 - 2016 - Paper 1

To calculate the initial acceleration of the cyclist, we first identify the change in velocity and the time period over which this change occurs.

From the graph, at 0 seconds, the velocity is 0 m/s, and at 2 seconds, the velocity rises to 12 m/s. Thus, the change in velocity ( \Delta v) is:

$\Delta v = v_f - v_i = 12 m/s - 0 m/s = 12 m/s$

The time interval ( \Delta t) is:

$\Delta t = 2 s - 0 s = 2 s$

Using the formula for acceleration ((a)):

$a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t} = \frac{12 m/s}{2 s} = 6 m/s^2$

Thus, the initial acceleration is 6 m/s².