When we talk about constant velocity on a position-time graph, we're essentially describing a situation where an object moves with a steady speed in a straight line. There are no variations in how fast or slow the object moves; it's like a car cruising down the highway at an unchanging speed. On the graph, this steady motion is depicted as a straight line.
With constant velocity, the distance covered over each time unit is the same. This consistent travel is easy to see on the position-time graph because the line doesn't bend or curve.
- If the line is slanted upwards, the object is moving forward steadily.
- If the line is slanted downwards, the object is moving back steadily.
- If the line is horizontal, the object isn't moving at all. It stays in the same position as time progresses.
Understanding that a straight line equates to a constant velocity helps to visualize the motion, making it easier to grasp the concept of unchanged speed.