Question

4 multiple choice 0.5 points
reading/video: when the slope of an x-t graph is negative at some instant, what does that tell you about the instantaneous velocity?
velocity is negative (motion toward smaller x)
speed must be zero
velocity is positive (motion toward larger x)
acceleration must be zero

Explanation:

In position-time (x-t) graphs, the instantaneous velocity at any point is equal to the slope of the tangent line at that point. A negative slope means the position x is decreasing over time, which corresponds to motion toward smaller x values (negative velocity). The other options are incorrect: a zero slope would mean speed is zero, positive slope means positive velocity, and slope tells nothing about acceleration directly.

Answer:

velocity is negative (motion toward smaller x)