Multiple Choice
In a position vs. time graph, what information is typically presented on the y-axis?
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2. 1D Motion / Kinematics
Graphing Position, Velocity, and Acceleration Graphs
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In a position vs. time graph, what is the best explanation for the curve's shape when it is a parabola?
A
The object is moving with constant velocity.
B
The object is decelerating at a constant rate.
C
The object is at rest.
D
The object is accelerating at a constant rate.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that a position vs. time graph shows how an object's position changes over time. The shape of the graph provides information about the object's motion.
Recognize that a straight line on a position vs. time graph indicates constant velocity, as the position changes linearly with time.
Identify that a horizontal line on a position vs. time graph indicates the object is at rest, as the position does not change over time.
A parabolic curve on a position vs. time graph suggests that the object's velocity is changing over time, which means the object is accelerating.
Since the curve is a parabola, it indicates that the object is accelerating at a constant rate, as the position changes quadratically with time. This is consistent with the kinematic equation for uniformly accelerated motion: .
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