Question detail
What does a negative gradient on a velocity-time graph indicate about the motion of an object?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
Question
Type
exam_style
Style
Topic
Forces and motion
Question
What does a negative gradient on a velocity-time graph indicate about the motion of an object?
Answer
A negative gradient on a velocity-time graph indicates that the object is experiencing deceleration or is accelerating in the opposite direction.
Explanation
This question tests the understanding of how to interpret velocity-time graphs, specifically focusing on the significance of gradient. Recognizing that a negative gradient represents a decrease in velocity is crucial for analyzing motion.
Common mistake
Misinterpreting Negative Gradient
Students often confuse a negative gradient on a velocity-time graph as indicating a decrease in speed rather than recognizing it as deceleration or acceleration in the opposite direction.
To fix this, students should remember that a negative gradient indicates a change in velocity, specifically that the object is slowing down (decelerating) or reversing direction (accelerating in the opposite direction).
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