Question

study the position-time graph for a bicycle.
position vs time
which statement is supported by the graph?
the bicycle has speed but not velocity.
the bicycle is moving at a constant velocity.
the bicycle has a displacement of 3 m.
the bicycle is not in motion.

Explanation:

In a position - time graph, the slope of the graph represents the velocity of the object. A vertical line in a position - time graph has an undefined slope, which means the velocity is undefined. This implies that the object is not moving (since velocity is the rate of change of position with respect to time, and if position does not change with time, the object is at rest).

• For the option "The bicycle has speed but not velocity": Speed is the magnitude of velocity. If velocity is undefined (as in the case of a vertical line in position - time graph), speed is also undefined, so this statement is wrong.
• For the option "The bicycle is moving at a constant velocity": A constant velocity would correspond to a straight line with a constant (non - zero) slope. A vertical line does not have a constant non - zero slope, so this is wrong.
• For the option "The bicycle has a displacement of 3 m": Displacement is the change in position. Since the position of the bicycle does not change with time (the graph is vertical, position is constant), the displacement is 0, not 3 m, so this is wrong.
• For the option "The bicycle is not in motion": Since the position of the bicycle does not change with time (the graph is a vertical line, meaning at different times, the position is the same), the bicycle is at rest, i.e., not in motion. This statement is correct.

Answer:

The bicycle is not in motion.