alleryStart learning →Under what condition is a velocity versus time graph a straight line rather than a curve?
AWhen the acceleration is constant
BWhen the velocity is exactly zero
CWhen the displacement is exactly zero
DWhen the object never starts from rest
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. When the acceleration is constant
1. The slope of a velocity vs. time graph is the acceleration.
2. A straight line has one fixed slope everywhere along it.
3. So the graph is straight only while the acceleration stays constant, and curves whenever it changes.
_Source: OpenStax Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 3 "Acceleration", section 3.2 Representing Acceleration with Equations and Graphs_
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