The graph represents velocity vs. time for Carla.

A graph with horizontal axis time (seconds) and vertical axis velocity (meters per second). A line runs in straight segments from 0 seconds 15 meters per second to 1 seconds 13 meters per second to 2 seconds 10 meters per second to 3 seconds 4 meters per second to 4 seconds 0 meters per second to 6 seconds 4 meters per second.

Which best describes the graph?

Carla sped up in the beginning of her trip, stopped, and then slowed down.
Carla had a greater acceleration in the beginning than in the end.
Carla slowed down in the beginning of her trip, stopped, and then sped up.
Carla had a continuous acceleration throughout the entire trip.

1 answer

To analyze the graph's description and determine which statement best describes Carla's motion, let's break down the information:

  1. Velocity Decrease: The graph shows a decreasing trend in the velocity during the initial part of the trip (from 15 m/s at 0 seconds to 4 m/s at 3 seconds).

  2. Stopping Point: At 4 seconds, the velocity reaches 0 m/s, indicating that Carla stops.

  3. Subsequent Increase: From 4 seconds to 6 seconds, the velocity then increases from 0 m/s to 4 m/s.

From this analysis, we can summarize Carla's motion as follows:

  • She started at a high velocity (15 m/s) and then decreased her speed, slowing down until she came to a stop (0 m/s).
  • After stopping, she then began to speed up again, moving from 0 m/s to 4 m/s.

Evaluating the Statements:

  1. Carla sped up in the beginning of her trip, stopped, and then slowed down.
    This statement is incorrect because she slowed down in the beginning, not sped up.

  2. Carla had a greater acceleration in the beginning than in the end.
    This statement lacks clarity as we cannot determine exact accelerations from the graph.

  3. Carla slowed down in the beginning of her trip, stopped, and then sped up.
    This statement is correct as it accurately reflects her motion.

  4. Carla had a continuous acceleration throughout the entire trip.
    This statement is incorrect because her motion involves both deceleration and acceleration, not continuous acceleration.

Conclusion:

The best description of the graph is: Carla slowed down in the beginning of her trip, stopped, and then sped up.