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A distanceтАУtime graph for an object moving with constant speed must pass through ___________.
The origin
The y-axis only
The x-axis only
A curved path
The origin
A distance-time graph for an object moving with constant speed is a straight line. Since distance s is zero at time t=0 for an object starting from rest, the line must pass through the origin (0,0).
A distance-time graph for an object moving with constant speed is a straight line. Since distance s is zero at time t=0 for an object starting from rest, the line must pass through the origin (0,0).
If you start a stopwatch the moment you begin walking at a steady pace, at 0 seconds, you have covered 0 meters; this starting point is the origin on your graph.
Origin = Zero (Time 0, Distance 0)
s=vтЛЕt тАФ where s is distance, v is constant speed, and t is time
v=╬Фt╬ФsтАЛ тАФ the slope of the distance-time graph represents speed
The motion is governed by the linear equation s=vt, where s is the distance, v is the constant speed, and t is the time. This equation follows the form y=mx, which represents a straight line passing through the origin of the Cartesian coordinate system.
A straight-line distance-time graph indicates uniform speed.
The slope of the line equals the magnitude of the velocity/speed.
If the graph passes through the origin, it implies the reference point s=0 at t=0.
Analyzing kinematics in physics laboratories
Calculating average speed from distance-time data
If an object has an initial displacement at t=0, the graph would have a positive y-intercept.
Option B and C are incorrect because a graph not passing through the origin implies the object had already covered distance before the timing started or started at an offset.
A is correct тАФ A straight-line distance-time graph for uniform motion must originate from (0,0) because no distance is covered when time elapsed is zero.
Remember that the slope of a position-time graph is velocity; a constant slope means constant velocity, while a changing slope (curved line) represents acceleration.