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If you have an object that is accelerating, then a position vs. time graph will give you a parabola which is pretty but is very hard to measure anything on - especially hard to measure the acceleration (or the curve of the line). If however, you graph position vs. time squared, you get a nice straight line (if you have constant acceleration) and therefore, you can measure the slope and get the acceleration.
Remember: x = 1/2at2 so if you graph x vs. t2 then the slope = 1/2 a or a = 2*slope
No matter what you are measuring, you always want to graph a straight line.
hope that helps
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∙ 13y ago
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What graph is distance plotted against time?
Graphically, your graph is just that; distance versus time. In general, it gives a position of x at a certain time of t. It should be noted that the slope of the graph at time t is the velocity of the graph at that time t.
Which type of graph is best suited for graphing the cost of a computer versus its speed?
A line graph
Which type of graph is best suited for graphing the height of a plant versus its age?
A line graph
What line segments on a position versus time graph is physically impossible a horizontal line a straight line that slopes to the right a straight line that slopes to the left?
a verticla line
What is the difference frequency graph versus percentage graph?
The main difference is that the vertical scale for a frequency graph is in units (or numbers) whereas in a percentage graph, it is in percentages,
What shape do you expect for a graph showing the position of a motorcycle versus time if the motorcycle is speeding up with a constant acceleration?
The position versus time graph is parabolic.
How does a graph showing speed differ from a graph showing acceleration?
Speed can be shown on a graph of position versus time, and acceleration can be shown on a graph of speed versus time.
When is the shape of an position versus time graph parabolic?
The shape of a position versus time graph is parabolic when the object is undergoing constant acceleration. This acceleration results in a quadratic relationship between position and time, forming a parabolic curve.
What does a curved line pointing downward on a position versus time graph indicate?
That means the speed (the slope of the position-time graph) is decreasing.
What property on a position-versus time graph represents speed?
The slope of the curve.
What does a positive slope mean in a position versus time graph?
Assuming position is on the y axis and time is on the x axis, a positive slope means the position has increased over time.
What line segments on a position versus time graph is physically impossible?
A line segment with a negative slope on a position versus time graph would be physically impossible because it would imply that the object is moving backward in time. Additionally, a vertical line segment on a position versus time graph would be physically impossible as it would indicate an infinite speed, which is not feasible in real-world scenarios.
Why time is an independent variable and positition a dependent variable in a position versus time graph?
In a position versus time graph, time is typically considered the independent variable because it is controlled by the experimenter and is used to measure the dependent variable, which is position. The position of an object (dependent variable) changes over time (independent variable), and thus position is plotted against time to show how it varies based on the passage of time.
If a line on a distance versus time graph is horizontal what does that say about the motion of the object?
If a line on a distance versus time graph is horizontal, it indicates that the object is not changing its position over time. In other words, the object is at rest and not moving.
What graph is distance plotted against time?
Graphically, your graph is just that; distance versus time. In general, it gives a position of x at a certain time of t. It should be noted that the slope of the graph at time t is the velocity of the graph at that time t.
Does the slope of a speed-versus-time graph represents acceleration?
No, the slope of a speed-versus-time graph represents the rate of change of speed, not acceleration. Acceleration is represented by the slope of a velocity-versus-time graph.
What line segments on a position versus time graph is physically imposable?
A physically impossible line segment on a position versus time graph would be one with a slope representing a speed greater than the speed of light or negative speed (moving backwards in time). These scenarios violate the laws of physics.
