AP Physics 1 Question of the Day

Practice AP Physics 1 with the production-style question-of-the-day selection for this public URL.

Question 1

Which of the following graphs displays a particle with constant velocity?

Explanation: For this question, we need to find out which graph represents constant velocity. First, let's recall that velocity is defined as the amount of displacement that an object undergoes in a given amount of time. Hence, a graph in which the displacement is changing at a constant rate is showing a velocity that is constant. If this line is not straight in a graph of displacement vs. time, then the velocity is changing during the object's travel. In a graph of acceleration vs. time, a straight flat line indicates that acceleration is not changing. And since acceleration is defined as a change in velocity with respect to time, a flat line indicates that the velocity is changing at a constant rate. Thus, in this scenario, velocity would not be constant (since it is changing at a constant rate). In an acceleration vs. time graph that contains an upward facing straight line, this indicates that the acceleration is increasing at a constant rate. And if acceleration is increasing at a constant rate, then the velocity would be increasing at an even greater rate (an exponential rate).

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AP Physics 1

AP Physics 1 Question of the Day

Practice AP Physics 1 with the production-style question-of-the-day selection for this public URL.

Question 1

Which of the following graphs displays a particle with constant velocity?

Explanation: For this question, we need to find out which graph represents constant velocity. First, let's recall that velocity is defined as the amount of displacement that an object undergoes in a given amount of time. Hence, a graph in which the displacement is changing at a constant rate is showing a velocity that is constant. If this line is not straight in a graph of displacement vs. time, then the velocity is changing during the object's travel. In a graph of acceleration vs. time, a straight flat line indicates that acceleration is not changing. And since acceleration is defined as a change in velocity with respect to time, a flat line indicates that the velocity is changing at a constant rate. Thus, in this scenario, velocity would not be constant (since it is changing at a constant rate). In an acceleration vs. time graph that contains an upward facing straight line, this indicates that the acceleration is increasing at a constant rate. And if acceleration is increasing at a constant rate, then the velocity would be increasing at an even greater rate (an exponential rate).