Question

The velocity of an object is positive and steadily increasing. Which of the following graphs represents how the acceleration of the object changes with time?

(Click picture for answers)

Answer 1

If an object's velocity is steadily increasing it means that the acceleration is constant at a certain value.

Choice A shows an acceleration of zero which would only be true if the object was not moving or if its velocity was not changing.

Choice B gives us a graph showing acceleration increasing over time and is therefore incorrect.

Choice C is correct because the acceleration is constant. Steadily increasing tells us that the acceleration is fixed at a certain value.

Choice D is incorrect an represents a constant negative acceleration. This would be the case if the object was steadily decreasing in velocity.

Answer 2

Graph C with its constant and positive acceleration reflected by a horizontal line at a positive y-value, is the most accurate representation of the described object's motion. Here option C is correct.

It seems that graph C is the correct representation of the object's motion. Graph C exhibits a horizontal line at a positive value on the y-axis, indicating a constant and positive acceleration. This aligns with the description of the object's velocity, which is noted as positive and steadily increasing.

In contrast, graph A displays a horizontal line at zero on the y-axis, suggesting zero acceleration and constant velocity. Graph B shows a diagonal line with a positive slope, implying an increasing acceleration and velocity.

Lastly, graph D exhibits a diagonal line with a negative slope, indicating a decreasing acceleration and an increasing velocity at a decreasing rate. Here option C is correct.