In a velocity-time graph, the negative slope represents ______.
retardation
The correct answer is retardation.
A velocity-time graph plots velocity on the y-axis and time on the x-axis. The slope of the graph represents the rate of change of velocity with respect to time, which is acceleration.
A positive slope indicates that the velocity is increasing with time, meaning the object is accelerating. Conversely, a negative slope indicates that the velocity is decreasing with time. This decrease in velocity is known as retardation or deceleration.
Therefore, in a velocity-time graph, a negative slope represents retardation.