Chapter 3, Problem 56A

To determine

The conclusion about the acceleration of an object if its velocity-time graph is a line parallel to the horizontal axis.

Answer to Problem 56A

The acceleration of the object is zero.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

The acceleration of an object is given by

  $a=\frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}=\frac{v_f-v_i}{t_f-t_i}$

In a velocity-time graph, velocity is plotted on vertical axis while time is plotted on horizontal axis.

Now, if the velocity-time graph of an object moving on a straight path is a straight line parallel to the x-axis i.e. the horizontal axis, then the change in the velocity of the object with respect to time will be zero. This in turn will make the acceleration of the object as zero.

Conclusion:

The acceleration of the considered object will be $0$ .