Velocity–time graphs Knowledge-Based Practice

Questions

1. 1.

   Which feature of a velocity–time graph indicates that an object is moving with non-uniform (changing) acceleration along a straight line?

   • A) A straight line with a constant non-zero slope
   • B) A curved line with a continuously changing slope
   • C) A straight line that passes directly through the origin
   • D) A horizontal line positioned parallel to the time axis
2. 2.

   On a velocity–time graph for an object moving along a straight line, which condition indicates that the object is speeding up?

   • A) Whenever the slope of the graph line is positive
   • B) Whenever the graph line moves farther away from the time axis
   • C) Whenever the graph line is located above the time axis
   • D) Whenever the graph line moves toward the time axis
3. 3.

   On a velocity–time graph showing the one-dimensional motion of two separate objects, what does an intersection point of the two graph lines represent?

   • A) They are located at the same position.
   • B) They have achieved the same displacement.
   • C) They experience the same instantaneous acceleration.
   • D) They are moving with the same instantaneous velocity.
4. 4.

   On a velocity–time graph for an object moving along a straight line, how is the total distance traveled determined over an interval in which the velocity changes sign?

   • A) By calculating the net algebraic area between the curve and the time axis, treating regions below the axis as negative
   • B) By evaluating the slope of the straight line connecting the initial and final data points
   • C) By taking the product of the average acceleration and the total elapsed time interval
   • D) By summing the absolute values of the individual areas bounded by the curve and the time axis
5. 5.

   What physical quantity is determined by calculating the slope of the tangent to a velocity–time graph at a specific point in time?

   • A) Average velocity
   • B) Instantaneous displacement
   • C) Instantaneous acceleration
   • D) Total distance traveled
6. 6.

   On a velocity–time graph for an object moving along a straight line, a horizontal line segment is plotted above the time axis. Which statement correctly describes the motion of the object during this time interval?

   • A) It remains stationary at a constant positive position.
   • B) It moves in the positive direction with constant velocity and zero acceleration.
   • C) It speeds up at a steady rate under constant positive acceleration.
   • D) It slows down steadily until it reaches a complete stop.
7. 7.

   On a velocity–time graph representing the one-dimensional motion of an object, the plotted line crosses the time axis from a positive velocity to a negative velocity with a non-zero slope. What physical event occurs at this crossing point?

   • A) The object momentarily stops and reverses its direction of motion.
   • B) The object returns to its original starting position.
   • C) The object's acceleration becomes zero.
   • D) The object reaches its maximum speed in the forward direction.
8. 8.

   A car moves along a straight path such that its velocity decreases uniformly from 18 m/s to 6 m/s over an interval of 4.0 s. Based on its velocity–time graph, what is the car's acceleration?

   • A) 3.0 m/s$^2$
   • B) -3.0 m/s$^2$
   • C) -4.5 m/s$^2$
   • D) -12 m/s$^2$
9. 9.

   An object moving along a straight line has a velocity that decreases uniformly from 20 m/s to 4 m/s over a time interval of 5.0 s. According to its velocity–time graph, what is the displacement of the object during this time?

   • A) 40 m
   • B) 50 m
   • C) 60 m
   • D) 100 m

Answers and step-by-step solutions appear after you finish the test.