What does a straight line mean on a position-time graph?

velocity
The principle is that the slope of the line on a position-time graph reveals useful information about the velocity of the object. If the velocity is constant, then the slope is constant (i.e., a straight line). If the velocity is changing, then the slope is changing (i.e., a curved line).

How do you know if a graph has a positive or negative acceleration?

If the acceleration is positive, then the slope is positive (i.e., an upward sloping line). If the acceleration is negative, then the slope is negative (i.e., a downward sloping line). This very principle can be extended to any conceivable motion.

What does it mean when a velocity vs time graph has a straight horizontal segment?

Velocity-Time Graphs. A horizontal line on the V-T graph means constant velocity.

What can be inferred about the velocity in position-time graph If the graph is a horizontal line?

As discussed in the previous part of Lesson 4, the shape of a velocity versus time graph reveals pertinent information about an object’s acceleration. For example, if the acceleration is zero, then the velocity-time graph is a horizontal line (i.e., the slope is zero).

What is the object doing if the line on a position versus time graph is curved?

If a position graph is curved, the slope will be changing, which also means the velocity is changing. Changing velocity implies acceleration. So, curvature in a graph means the object is accelerating, changing velocity/slope.

What does positive acceleration look like on a graph?

If the object is speeding up, then its acceleration vector is directed in the same direction as its motion (in this case, a positive acceleration). The acceleration-time graph shows a horizontal line in the positive region of the graph (positive acceleration).

How can displacement be determined using a velocity time graph?

To find the displacement when the velocity is changing, a velocity-time graph is needed. Normally, velocity is plotted on the y-axis (the vertical axis) and time is plotted on the x-axis (the horizontal axis). The area under the line on a velocity-time graph is equal to the displacement of the object.

How can the velocity of an object be determined from a position time graph of its motion?

The slope of a position-time graph represents velocity. The steeper the slope is, the faster the motion is changing. Average velocity can be calculated from a position-time graph as the change in position divided by the corresponding change in time.

Can a velocity-time graph curve?

When an object is undergoing constant acceleration , the line on the graph is straight but sloped. Curved lines on velocity-time graphs also show changes in velocity, but not with a constant acceleration or deceleration . The steeper the line, the greater the acceleration of the object.

What does the slope of the displacement time graph represent?

Therefore, following are the takeaway from the displacement time graph: Slope is equal to velocity. Constant velocity is explained by the straight line while acceleration is explained by the curved lines. Positive slope means the motion is in the positive direction.

How do you find acceleration and displacement from a velocity graph?

The displacement is given by finding the area under the line in the velocity vs. time graph. The acceleration is given by finding the slope of the velocity graph. The instantaneous velocity can just be read off of the graph. Analyze the shape of the area to be calculated.

What does a positive slope on a velocity time graph mean?

Positive slope means the motion is in the positive direction. Negative slope means the motion is in the negative direction. Zero slope means that the object is at rest. In velocity time graph, velocity is the dependent variable and is represented to the y-axis and time is the independent variable, represented on x-axis.

What does the area under the velocity represent in the graph?

The area under the velocity, represents the displacement of the object. In acceleration time graph, acceleration is the dependent variable and is represented by the y-axis and time is the independent variable and is represented by the x-axis.