Question

What does the slope of the line on this velocity versus time graph represent?




A.
negative acceleration


B.
positive acceleration


C.
positive deceleration


D.
zero acceleration

Answer 1

We'd need to see the actual graph.

The slope of a velocity vs. time graph is indeed the acceleration, but we have no information on whether it's positive, negative, or zero.

A note, however: a negative slope on the graph would correspond to a negative acceleration. This is also a positive DEcceleration, if you were initially moving in the positive direction.

Answer 2

let me try to draw it

Answer 3

Use the same fact, that when you take the slope of each point on this position graph, you get the velocity.

As you can see, with each step on the position chart, the position roughly gets doubled. So the position is constantly increasing. MEANING, that the position at each point in time will always be larger than the previous point.

If you take the SLOPE at each point, you will see that the slope is always STEEPER as you go up. You can imagine the position line like the side of a mountain, and you're trying to walk up it. With every step you take, the mountain gets steeper.

Thus, the VELOCITY is the graph of those SLOPES. It shows the STEEPNESS of each point in time. As you go further in time, the mountain will get steeper.

Now, what if we took the slope of the VELOCITY graph? Well, that would give us acceleration, which is the RATE OF CHANGE in velocity. The reason it is flat, is because there is no RATE of change. The change is constant.

Let's say, for every step you take on the mountain, it is twice as steep as your previous step. There is no CHANGE in that amount with each step.

Now, say for example with each step on the mountain, it was twice as steep, then four times as steep with the next step, then eight times as steep with the next step, etc. There is a RATE OF CHANGE in how steep each step is.

Hopefully that gives you some insight on *why* the graphs are like this.

Answer 4

(In my previous post, see the attached graph first, then read the post)

Answer 5

So, what's the slope of that line?

Answer 6

Okay, what is your rate at which the slope of that line is changing?

Answer 7

On a Velocity vs Time graph, the slope gives you the acceleration.

What's the slope of your velocity vs time graph?

Answer 8

it doesn't say I'm looking at the image right now it just show that the slope line is blue

Answer 9

Is your line going up or down at all?

Answer 10

no its straight

Answer 11

\[slope = \frac{Rise}{Run}\]

If it's going straight across, that means that your "Rise" is 0.

So what's your slope?

Answer 12

Exactly, so what is the slope of a straight line?

Answer 13

If you can tell me the slope, we'll have your question answered in no time. I promise :)

If you are having trouble with it, let me know (preferably, show me what you are trying to do) and we can fix whatever difficulties you are having.

I'm here to help. I won't make fun of you if you do something wrong. We've all been there before. Don't be afraid to make mistakes! That's how you learn!