Question 1

Which of the following statements best describes the meaning of a straight line on a position-time graph?

Accepted Answer

The object's velocity is constant.

Question 2

Given a position-time graph where the slope of the line is negative, what does this indicate about the object's motion?

Accepted Answer

The object is moving backward.

Question 3

If the position-time graph is curved upwards (smiley face), what can you conclude about the acceleration?

Accepted Answer

The acceleration is positive.

Question 4

An object moves from $$x = -4 m to$$ $$x = 8 m in$$ $$t = 5 s. $$What is its average velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{avg} = \frac{8 - (-4)}{5} = 2.4 m/s$$

Question 5

On a position-time graph, what does the slope of the tangent line at a single point represent?

Accepted Answer

The object's instantaneous velocity at that point.

Question 6

A ball's position-time graph shows a peak at $$t = 6 s. $$What is true about the velocity at this point?

Accepted Answer

The velocity is zero.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

Negative

Question 8

A box moves from $$x = 0 m to$$ $$x = 4 m in$$ $$t = 5 s$$, then from $$x = 4 m to$$ $$x = 0 m in$$ $$t = 3 s. $$What is the average velocity from $$t = 0 to$$ $$t = 8 s$$?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{avg} = \frac{0 - 0}{8} = 0 m/s$$

Question 9

Which interval on a position-time graph corresponds to the object moving fastest?

Accepted Answer

The interval with the steepest slope.

Question 10

If an object's position-time graph is a horizontal line, what is true about its velocity and acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Velocity is zero, acceleration is zero.

Question 11

A car travels from $$x = 2 m to$$ $$x = 10 m in$$ $$t = 4 s. $$What is its average velocity?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{avg} = \frac{10 - 2}{4} = 2 m/s$$

Question 12

On a position-time graph, what does a valley (minimum point) indicate about the object's velocity?

Accepted Answer

The velocity is zero.

Question 13

If the slope of a position-time graph increases over time, what does this indicate about the object's motion?

Accepted Answer

The object is speeding up.

Question 14

A runner's position-time graph is a straight line with a positive slope. What does this tell you about the runner's velocity and acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Velocity is positive and constant, acceleration is zero.

Question 15

Which formula is used to calculate average velocity between two points on a position-time graph?

Accepted Answer

$$v_{avg} = \frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}$$

Question 16

If an object's position-time graph is a straight line with a negative slope, what is the direction of its velocity?

Accepted Answer

Backward

Question 17

A cyclist's position-time graph shows a curve that is getting steeper over time. What does this indicate about the cyclist's acceleration?

Accepted Answer

Acceleration is positive.

Question 18

At what points on a position-time graph is the velocity zero?

Accepted Answer

At the peaks and valleys.

Question 19

If a position-time graph is flat between $$t = 2 s $$and $$t = 4 s$$, what is the object's velocity during this interval?

Accepted Answer

Zero

Question 20

A ball is thrown upward and its position-time graph shows a peak at $$t = 3 s. $$What is the sign of the velocity at $$t = 3 s$$?

Accepted Answer

Zero

Position-Time Graphs and Velocity in Kinematics

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