Final answer:
To represent the distance an object travels, a line graph is commonly used. This type of graph plots time as the independent variable on the x-axis and distance as the dependent variable on the y-axis. Other related graphs include position vs. time and velocity or acceleration vs. time.
Step-by-step explanation:
To show the distance something travels, a line graph is often the most suitable type. In physics, the relationship between distance and another variable, such as time, can be effectively illustrated using line graphs. If you're graphing the distance a train travels from its station over time, time would be your independent variable, generally plotted on the x-axis, while distance would be the dependent variable, plotted on the y-axis. This setup helps to identify how distance changes over time.
However, it's important to remember that measured data may not have perfect accuracy. For instance, while plotting a position vs. time graph, one has to assume certain conditions such as constant speed or straight path which might not always be realistic. In such cases, these graphs provide a simplified model of the motion.
For a complete understanding of motion, one might also consider plotting velocity vs. time or acceleration vs. time graphs, which can provide additional insights into the dynamics of the moving object. These kinds of graphs are very informative because they not only present numerical data but also reveal the relationship between different physical quantities.