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If a velocityтАУtime graph shows a horizontal straight line, the object is moving with ________.
No velocity
Constant velocity
Non-uniform acceleration
Zero displacement
Constant velocity
A horizontal straight line on a velocity-time (v-t) graph indicates that the velocity of the object does not change with time. Since velocity remains steady, the object is moving with constant velocity, which implies that the acceleration is zero.
A horizontal straight line on a velocity-time (v-t) graph indicates that the velocity of the object does not change with time. Since velocity remains steady, the object is moving with constant velocity, which implies that the acceleration is zero.
Think of a car on a long straight highway using cruise control at exactly 80┬аkm/h; the speedometer needle stays fixed at one point, just as the graph line stays at one horizontal level.
V-T-H: Velocity-Time Horizontal = Halted change (Zero acceleration).
v=constant тАФ condition for horizontal line
a=dtdvтАЛ=0 тАФ result of constant velocity
In a velocity-time graph, the slope represents acceleration, defined as a=dtdvтАЛ. A horizontal line has a slope of zero because there is no change in velocity over any time interval. Consequently, the acceleration is zero, indicating the object maintains a uniform motion in a straight line.
The area under a v-t graph represents displacement.
The slope of a v-t graph represents acceleration.
Uniform motion implies constant velocity and zero acceleration.
Predictable motion
Easy calculation of displacement using the area of a rectangle
Rare in real-world scenarios due to constant friction and air resistance
Objects in deep space moving away from gravitational influence
Trains moving at a steady speed on straight, level tracks
Option A is incorrect because a horizontal line at v>0 means the object is moving.
Option C is incorrect because non-uniform acceleration would result in a curved line on a v-t graph.
Option D is incorrect as the object covers distance over time, so displacement increases linearly.
B is correct тАФ A horizontal line on a velocity-time graph signifies that velocity remains unchanged over time, representing constant velocity.
Remember that the slope of a position-time graph gives velocity, while the slope of a velocity-time graph gives acceleration; distinguishing these two is essential for solving motion graph problems.