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Position-Time Graphs - Conceptual Analysis - help3

The slope of a position-time graph reveals informaiton about the speed of an object. In fact one could generalize that "however the slope goes, so goes the velocity." A constant velocity motion is represented by a line of constant slope and a changing velocity by a line of changing slope. A positive velocity motion is represented by a line of positive slope and a negative velocity by a line of negative slope. A small velocity motion (slow object) is represented by a line with a small slope and a large velocity by a line with a large slope. In the end, by observing the slope, one can make conclusions about the velocity.

There are three very similar versions of this question. Each version provides a position-time graph of a five-stage motion and asks the learner to determine the stages in which the object is moving with a changing velocity. One of the versions is shown below.

Version 1
Five stages - labeled A, B, C, D, and E - of an object's motion are represented by the position-time graph below. During which stage(s) does the object have a changing velocity?

In this question, you must identify the stage(s) during which the object is moving with a changing velocity. You can use the principle that the slope of a position-time graph is the velocity. So a line with changing slope represents an object with changing velocity.

A changing slope is the opposite of a constant slope. So if a constant slope is a straight line, a changing slope line is curved. So you are looking for any stage of the motion that is represented on the position-time graph by a curved line. Pick all the stages that are curved lines and you'll earn yourself a "Dataway."

Try the links below to our Tutorial for more information about position-time graphs:

The Meaning of Shape for a p-t Graph

The Meaning of Slope for a p-t Graph

Determining the Slope on a p-t Graph