Question 1

Which of the following statements about position-time graphs is correct?

Accepted Answer

A straight line on a position-time graph indicates constant velocity and zero acceleration.

Question 2

Given a position-time graph, how do you calculate the average velocity between two points?

Accepted Answer

By dividing the change in position by the change in time: $$v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$

Question 3

On a position-time graph, what does a horizontal (flat) segment indicate about the object's motion?

Accepted Answer

The object is stopped (at rest).

Question 4

A position-time graph for a car shows a curve that is curving upward (smiley face). What does this indicate about the car's acceleration?

Accepted Answer

The car has positive acceleration.

Question 5

If the velocity-time graph of a box is below the time axis, what does this indicate about the box's motion?

Accepted Answer

The box is moving backward.

Question 6

How do you determine the displacement $$\Delta x$$ from a velocity-time graph between two points?

Accepted Answer

By finding the area under the curve between the two points.

Question 7

A velocity-time graph shows a straight line with a negative slope. What does this tell you about the object's acceleration?

Accepted Answer

The object has negative acceleration.

Question 8

Given a velocity-time graph, how do you calculate the acceleration between two points?

Accepted Answer

By dividing the change in velocity by the change in time: $$a_{avg} = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$$

Question 9

A ball's position-time graph shows a segment with a downward slope. What does this indicate about the ball's velocity?

Accepted Answer

The ball is moving backward with negative velocity.

Question 10

At which point on a position-time graph is the object's velocity zero?

Accepted Answer

Where the graph is flat (horizontal).

Question 11

A box moves according to the velocity-time graph shown. From $$t=0 to$$ $$t=4 s$$, the velocity is positive and constant. What is the displacement during this interval?

Accepted Answer

The displacement is equal to the area under the curve: $$\Delta x = v 	imes t$$

Question 12

On a velocity-time graph, what does the area above the time axis represent?

Accepted Answer

Positive displacement.

Question 13

If two bicycles have the same position at $$t=2 s on a $$position-time graph, what does this mean physically?

Accepted Answer

They are at the same location at $$t=2 s.$$

Question 14

A position-time graph for a runner shows a segment with a steep upward slope followed by a flat segment. What does this indicate about the runner's motion?

Accepted Answer

The runner is moving quickly and then stops.

Question 15

On a velocity-time graph, how do you determine when the object is at rest?

Accepted Answer

When the graph crosses the time axis ($$v=0).$$

Question 16

A car's velocity-time graph shows a line that starts at $$v=0$$ and increases linearly to $$v=20 m/s $$over 5 seconds. What is the car's acceleration?

Accepted Answer

$$a = 4 m/s$^2$$

Question 17

If a position-time graph is curving downward (frowny face), what is the sign of the acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Negative

Question 18

A velocity-time graph for a moving box shows a segment below the time axis followed by a segment above the time axis. What does this indicate about the box's motion?

Accepted Answer

The box turns around and changes direction.

Question 19

At point P on the position-time graph shown, the slope is negative and the curvature is upward. Which statement is true about the velocity and acceleration at point P?

Accepted Answer

The velocity is negative and the acceleration is positive.

Kinematics: Interpreting Position-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs

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