Question

position is graphed on the ______ axis
the slope of a position vs time graph is the ____________.
velocity is the change in ________ over the change in ________.
in other words, velocity is the change in ____ values divided by the change in ____ values
the standard units for velocity are ________
check your understanding
use the graph to find the average velocity between 0 and 3 seconds.
position x (m)
time t (s)
change in position: ______ - ____ = ______ (m)
change in time: ______ - ____ = ______ (s)
change in position / change in time: ______(m) / ______(s)
v_avg = ________ meters per second (m/s)

Explanation:

Position - time graphs are common in physics. Position is graphed on the y - axis. The slope of a position - time graph gives velocity. Velocity is the change in position over the change in time, or change in y - values divided by change in x - values. Standard units for velocity are meters per second. For the graph, at $t = 0$, position $x_1=0$ m and at $t = 3$ s, position $x_2 = 15$ m. Change in position is $x_2 - x_1=15 - 0=15$ m. Change in time is $3 - 0 = 3$ s. Average velocity $v_{avg}=\frac{\text{Change in position}}{\text{Change in time}}=\frac{15}{3}=5$ m/s.

Answer:

• Position is graphed on the y axis
• The slope of a position vs time graph is the velocity
• Velocity is the change in position over the change in time
• In other words, velocity is the change in y values divided by the change in x values
• The standard units for velocity are meters per second (m/s)
• Change in position: 15 - 0 = 15 (m)
• Change in time: 3 - 0 = 3 (s)
• Change in position / Change in time: 15 (m) / 3 (s)
• $V_{avg}=$ 5 meters per second (m/s)