A horizontal line on a position-time graph represents an object that is at rest. Since the position does not change over time, this indicates that the object's displacement is zero, meaning it is not moving. The slope of the line, which indicates velocity, is zero, confirming that the object has no movement during the time period represented in the graph.
What does a horizontal line (no slope) represent on a position-time graph?
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What does a straight line going up or down (constant slope) represent on a position-time graph?
A straight line going up or down on a position-time graph represents an object moving with a constant velocity.
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If the line is sloping upward, it indicates that the object is moving in the positive direction (away from the starting point) and has a positive velocity. The steeper the slope, the faster the object is moving.
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Conversely, if the line is sloping downward, it indicates that the object is moving in the negative direction (toward the starting point) and has a negative velocity. Again, the steeper the slope, the faster the object is moving in that direction.
In both cases, the constant slope signifies that the object's speed and direction remain unchanged throughout the time period represented on the graph.
What does a curved line (slope is not constant) represent on a position-time graph?
A curved line on a position-time graph indicates that the object's velocity is changing over time. This means that the object is either accelerating or decelerating.
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If the curve is concave up (shaping upwards): It indicates that the object is accelerating. The slope (which represents velocity) is increasing over time, meaning the object is moving faster as time progresses.
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If the curve is concave down (shaping downwards): It indicates that the object is decelerating. The slope is decreasing over time, meaning the object is slowing down.
In both cases, the curvature of the line reflects the changes in speed and possibly direction, showing that the motion is not uniform.
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