The statement that is true regarding a distance vs. time graph is:
The graph needs to start at the origin.
In a distance vs. time graph, the origin (0,0) represents the point where the object has traveled zero distance at time zero. Therefore, it is standard for the graph to start at the origin, assuming the object starts moving from that point.
The other statements are not necessarily true:
- Distance vs. time graphs can include curved lines if the speed is changing.
- Distance is typically plotted on the vertical axis, but time is plotted on the horizontal axis, making this statement inaccurate.
- A horizontal segment represents a period of no movement, which is not required for every distance vs. time graph.