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The shape of a velocity-time graph reveals much information about the motion of an object. Whether the line is horizontal or sloped and where the line is located reveals information about the manner in which the object is moving. Learn more in the How to Think About This Situation section. 
 

There are three similar versions of this question. Each includes three velocity-time graphs and an object that is changing directions
 

Version 1:

The velocity-time graphs represent the motion of three different objects. Identify any object that is changing directions. Tap on all that apply.

 

There are three velocity-time graphs. You must choose which is /are representative of an object that is changing directions. The way to think about these graphs is described below.

Velocity-Time Graphs: And a sloped line (whether straight or curved) is an indication of a changing velocity motion. A line in the + region of the v-t graph is an indication that the object is moving in the positive (rightward) direction. And a line in the - region of the v-t graph is an indication that the object is moving in the negative (leftward) direction.  If an object is changing direction, then the line must pass across the time axis (i.e., the v=0 m/s mark). This means that changing directions corresponds to a line that is in the + region at one point in time and in the - region of the graph at another point in time.

Don't Be Confused: Students can definitely get confused by this question. They hear the term "chaning directions" and begin hunting for a line that changes direction. That is, they look for a line that bends, thinking that is all that matters. But don't be confused. If a line slopes down and later slopes up, then the line has changed directions. But this doesn't mean the object has changed directions! For a moving object to change directions, it must be moving in one direction at one moment and in a different direction at another moment. Right? Right! So one a velocity-time graph, the direction that an object is moving at a given moment is represented by where the line is located at that moment. That is, if the line is above the time axis, the object is moving in the + direction; and if the line is below the time axis, then the object is moving in the - direction. So changing directions means that the line on the velocity-time graph must cross over the time axis from the + region to the - region or vice versa.
 

The following pages from The Physics Classroom Tutorial may provide additional background information and help with the topics in this Concept Builder:

Meaning of Shape for a v-t Graph

Meaning of Slope for a v-t Graph

Relating the Shape to the Motion for a v-t Graph
 


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