Question

Can you help me interpret the motion of the following position-time graph?

I want to interpret the motion of each slope in this p-t graph. For example, considering that the position is in (m) [N], I would say that the first slope represents an object moving [N] at a constant velocity. But, how would I interpret slopes that go are situated below the x-axis?

Answer 1

As we see in the given graph, there are eight time segments
1. `t=0` to `t=2`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(2m)/(2s)=1ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is moving in the positive direction with a constant velocity of `1ms^-1`.
2. `t=2` to `t=6`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(2m)/(4s)=0.5ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is moving in the positive direction with a constant velocity of `0.5ms^-1`.
3. `t=6` to `t=8`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(0m)/(2s)=0ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is stationary
4. `t=8` to `t=12`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(-8m)/(4s)=-2ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is moving in the negative direction with a constant velocity of `2ms^-1`.
5. `t=12` to `t=14`.
We see that slope of the line is same as in step 3.
The object is stationary.
6. `t=14` to `t=16`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(2m)/(2s)=1ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is moving in the positive direction with a constant velocity of `1ms^-1`.
7. `t=16` to `t=18`.
We see that slope of the line is given by `(4m)/(2s)=2ms^-1`.
Implies that the object is moving in the positive direction with a constant velocity of `2ms^-1`.
8. `t=18` to `t=20`.
We see that slope of the line is same as in steps 3 and 5.
The object is stationary.