Final Answer:
When a vehicle is said to be traveling at -35 km/h, it indicates that the vehicle is moving in the opposite direction to the conventionally assumed positive direction. The negative sign represents the direction of motion, implying that the vehicle is moving backward at a speed of 35 kilometers per hour.
Step-by-step explanation:
In physics, motion is described using a coordinate system where positive values typically denote motion in one direction and negative values in the opposite. When the velocity of a vehicle is stated as -35 km/h, the negative sign signifies that the motion is in the opposite direction of the positive axis. In this context, the vehicle is moving backward at a speed of 35 km/h. To understand this better, consider a scenario where a vehicle is moving forward at 35 km/h. If its direction reverses, the velocity becomes -35 km/h, indicating a change in direction but maintaining the same speed.
In mathematical terms, velocity is a vector quantity with both magnitude and direction. When expressing velocity as a scalar value (speed), the negative sign is used to convey the direction of motion. In the case of -35 km/h, the speed is 35 km/h, and the negative sign denotes the opposite direction. This convention simplifies the representation of motion in equations and calculations, allowing for a clear understanding of the vehicle's dynamics without the need for complex directional descriptions.