Probing the misconception:

A positive slope for a negative velocity means the object is speeding up.

References Description

 

Below is a graph of the velocity of an object over a period of time. Describe the motion of the object during the time interval shown.

 

Correct Answer 

 

 Students suffering from this misconception will say that the object is speeding up as time goes by.

 

Related misconceptions/student difficulties that may arise in the question:

Students have difficulty relating real world motions to a graph and vice-versa.

 

 

 

 

This website was written by Tom Brown and Jeff Crowder.  Please let us know if you encounter any difficulties in accessing the site, or if you have any suggestions on how we may improve it.