Question

2 multiple choice 1 point
how do you go from a position vs time (x-t) graph to velocity?
multiply position by time.
compute the area under the x-t graph.
compute the slope of the x-t graph (tangent slope for instantaneous velocity).
find the y-intercept of the x-t graph.

Explanation:

Velocity is defined as the rate of change of position with respect to time. On a position vs time (x-t) graph, the rate of change of position over time corresponds to the slope of the graph. For instantaneous velocity, we use the slope of the tangent line at a specific point, while average velocity uses the slope of the secant between two points. The other options are incorrect: multiplying position and time does not yield velocity, the area under an x-t graph represents displacement multiplied by time (not velocity), and the y-intercept is just the initial position.

Answer:

Compute the slope of the x-t graph (tangent slope for instantaneous velocity).