A small slope on a velocity vs. time graph indicates a small acceleration. A. True B. False

Question

it is a true of false question

Answer 1

Linda's analysis is fairly accurate, but her conclusion is not. The graph measures velocity over time. Acceleration is indeed the change of velocity, so if any acceleration occurs, the plot would not be flat. The greater the slope of the plot, the faster velocity is changing which infers a greater acceleration. Thus, a small slope infers a small acceleration.

Answer 2

Acceleration is the rate at which velocity is CHANGING, and not the same as velocity. So this question is FALSE.

 

For example, you could be flooring it from a stop sign.  You start out from 0 mph, and shoot out like a race car.  Your velocity is slow to start, but your acceleration is very high.  Likewise, you could be driving on the freeway at 70mph, but if you are driving at a constant speed, your acceleration is actually 0, despite the high velocity.

 

Again, FALSE.

 

(Edited to point to Larry's comments.)