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The problem is that a so-called "velocity-time" graph is really a "speed-time" graph.

A complete description of "velocity" at any point in time includes speed and direction,

but the graph can only show speed, that is, the magnitudeof velocity, vs. time, but

it can't show the direction of the motion. If the direction changes with time, then

that constitutes acceleration, but we can't discern it from the graph.

If the "v-t" graph is a straight line parallel to the time axis, then we know the speed,

and therefore the magnitude of velocity, is not changing. If we also know from some

other source that the motion is in a straight line, then we may say that the acceleration

is zero. But if we have no other information in addition to the graph, we can't reach a

full conclusion regarding the acceleration.

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How would a graph look if the speed is constant?

That would depend on the type of axes. If it is an acceleration vs. time graph, then there would be a continual reading of 0m/s/s acceleration, and the graph would be a straight line indicating 0m/s/s at all times. If it is a velocity vs time graph, then there would be a constant value of velocity at all times. If it is a displacement vs time graph, there would be a straight, continuously increasing line.


For an object that is speeding up at constant rate how would the acceleration vs time graph look?

A line angled upward


Can you have a zero acceleration but non zero velocity.explain with graph.?

Yes, you can have a situation where an object has a non-zero velocity but zero acceleration. This occurs when the object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line. On a velocity-time graph, this would be represented by a horizontal line at a non-zero velocity value and a flat line at zero acceleration.


What type of graph is best suited for comparing the acceleration of automobiles?

For comparing the acceleration of automobiles, a velocity vs. time graph is most efficient, where time is the x value, and velocity the y value. The greater the acceleration of the automobile, the steeper the slope of its respective plotted line.


How do you think a graph of deceleration would differ from the graph shown above?

A deceleration graph typically shows a decreasing function where the value of deceleration is decreasing over time. This is in contrast to an acceleration graph, where the value of acceleration is typically constant or increasing over time. The deceleration graph would show negative values as the object slows down.

Related Questions

How would a graph look if the speed is constant?

That would depend on the type of axes. If it is an acceleration vs. time graph, then there would be a continual reading of 0m/s/s acceleration, and the graph would be a straight line indicating 0m/s/s at all times. If it is a velocity vs time graph, then there would be a constant value of velocity at all times. If it is a displacement vs time graph, there would be a straight, continuously increasing line.


For an object that is speeding up at constant rate how would the acceleration vs time graph look?

A line angled upward


Can you have a zero acceleration but non zero velocity.explain with graph.?

Yes, you can have a situation where an object has a non-zero velocity but zero acceleration. This occurs when the object is moving at a constant speed in a straight line. On a velocity-time graph, this would be represented by a horizontal line at a non-zero velocity value and a flat line at zero acceleration.


What is the acceleration of car that travels in a straight line at constant speed?

Straight line at a constant speed = no acceleration


What is above the line acceleration time graph?

An above the line acceleration time graph indicates that the object is experiencing positive acceleration, meaning its speed is increasing over time. The area above the time axis represents the magnitude of acceleration, while the duration of time corresponds to how long this acceleration is sustained. If the graph has a constant value, the acceleration is uniform; if it varies, the acceleration is changing. This type of graph is useful for analyzing motion and understanding how forces are acting on an object.


In a position vs time graph what does it mean if the position is a negative number?

If acceleration is negative the graph looks like a upside U and decreases in value as time continues If acceleration is constant the graph is a straight line (linear) at 0 or whatever the velocity is


What type of graph is best suited for comparing the acceleration of automobiles?

For comparing the acceleration of automobiles, a velocity vs. time graph is most efficient, where time is the x value, and velocity the y value. The greater the acceleration of the automobile, the steeper the slope of its respective plotted line.


How do you show negative acceleration on a graph?

Negative acceleration on a graph can be represented by a downward slope on a velocity-time graph, indicating that the velocity of an object is decreasing over time. Alternatively, on a position-time graph, negative acceleration can be shown as a curve that becomes less steep, indicating that the object is slowing down as it moves. Additionally, the acceleration value itself being negative can be indicated in the graph's legend or axis labels.


How do you think a graph of deceleration would differ from the graph shown above?

A deceleration graph typically shows a decreasing function where the value of deceleration is decreasing over time. This is in contrast to an acceleration graph, where the value of acceleration is typically constant or increasing over time. The deceleration graph would show negative values as the object slows down.


What is a time distance graph?

A distance vs time squared graph shows shows the relationship between distance and time during an acceleration. An example of an acceleration value would be 3.4 m/s^2. The time is always squared in acceleration therefore the graph can show the rate of which an object is moving


What is a distance vs time graph?

A distance vs time squared graph shows shows the relationship between distance and time during an acceleration. An example of an acceleration value would be 3.4 m/s^2. The time is always squared in acceleration therefore the graph can show the rate of which an object is moving


What does the slope of a straight line graph tell you?

It tells you the relationship between the X value and the Y value is constant.