Question

the motion of a leftward - moving object is represented by a position - time graph.
(consider the positive direction to be to the right.)
is this a speeding up, slowing down, or constant speed motion?
speeding up slowing down constant speed
is the object experiencing balanced or unbalanced forces?
balanced unbalanced

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the position - time graph

In a position - time graph, the slope of the graph represents the velocity. The formula for the slope \(m=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}\), where \(\Delta x\) is the change in position and \(\Delta t\) is the change in time. For a straight - line graph (linear), the slope is constant.

Step2: Determine the type of motion

Since the graph is a straight line (linear), the slope (velocity) is constant. When an object has a constant velocity, it is in constant - speed motion.

Step3: Relate motion to forces

According to Newton's first law, if an object is in a state of uniform motion (constant velocity), the net force acting on it is zero. When the net force \(F_{net}=\sum F = 0\), the forces are balanced.

Answer:

Constant Speed; Balanced