Identify which variable is plotted on each axis of a position vs time graph given the following data:
| A | B |
| --- | --- |
| 0 | 0 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 4 | 10 |
| 6 | 15 |
| 8 | 20 |
Column A represents the variable to be plotted on the $\square$ -axis.
Column B represents the variable to be plotted on the $\square$ -axis.
In a position vs time graph, time is always plotted on the $\square$ -axis.
Answer (2)
Column A represents time, which is plotted on the x-axis.
Column B represents position, which is plotted on the y-axis.
In a position vs time graph, time is always plotted on the x-axis.
Therefore, Column A is plotted on the x-axis and Column B is plotted on the y-axis. Column A: x-axis, Column B: y-axis
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table with two columns, A and B, and we need to determine which variable represents time and which represents position in a position vs. time graph. We know that time is always plotted on the x-axis in such a graph.
Analyzing the Table Looking at the table, we can see that as the values in column A increase, the values in column B also increase. This suggests a relationship between the two variables. Since time is usually the independent variable, let's consider column A as time.
Determining the Axes If column A represents time, then column B must represent position. Therefore, in a position vs. time graph, column A (time) is plotted on the x-axis, and column B (position) is plotted on the y-axis.
Examples
Understanding position vs. time graphs is crucial in physics. For example, if you're tracking a car's movement, time is on the x-axis, and the car's position is on the y-axis. The graph shows how the car's position changes over time, helping you determine its speed and direction. This concept applies to many real-world scenarios, from tracking the movement of planets to analyzing the stock market.
Column A represents time, which is plotted on the x-axis, while Column B represents position, which is plotted on the y-axis in a position vs. time graph. Therefore, Column A should be placed on the x-axis and Column B on the y-axis.
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