Question

If an object undergoes constant acceleration, what will be the shape of the position-time graph that shows the object's motion?

A. linear horizontal

B. quadratic function shape

C. linear rising to the right

D. cubic function shape

This would be a linear function right? So either A or C? @perl :)

Answer 1

What level physics is this?

Answer 2

just general physics i guess :P

Answer 3

Calc or non-calc based

Answer 4

*first year physics if that makes more sense haha :)

Answer 5

non calc based :)

Answer 6

ok

Answer 7

if a = k
v = k*t + c1
x = k*t^2/2 + c1*t + c2

Answer 8

so its B

Answer 9

Yes @perl but that is using calculus

Answer 10

ohh so it wasn't a linear shape!

oh so with or without calculus, would it still be B?

Answer 11

its B, he just explained it in a way that would only make sense if youve taken calc.

Answer 12

ohh okay... well i've taken calc already, but my physics course isn't a physics with calculus course, just general physics :)

Answer 13

If you are curious I will explain it in a way that makes sense to you.

Answer 14

okay, that'd be nice too! :D

Answer 15

Ok if acceleration is constant than its graph looks like this

Answer 16

flat just one constant value

Answer 17

And we know from the previous problem i helped you with that acceleration is the rate that velocity is changing, or the slope of the v vs. t graph

Answer 18

okay :)

and yes:D

Answer 19

Something that has "constant slope" is a line

Answer 20

okay:)

Answer 21

But what about position.. Velocity is the rate at which position changes (your "speed" in a sense) So velocity is the slope of the x vs. t graph

Answer 22

but as you can see velocity starts at 0 and increases more and more. That means we need a graph whose slope starts out flat and increases more and more

Answer 23

yes:)

Answer 24

Awe there we go a graph whose slope starts out flat and increases more and more.