---
title: "A student conducts an experiment to determine the constant acceleration \\(a\\) of a cart that starts from rest and rolls down a long, straight track. The student uses a sensor to collect data for the distance \\(d\\) the cart travels as a function of time \\(t\\) since it was released. To determine the acceleration using the slope of a linear graph, the student should plot which of the following quantities on the vertical and horizontal axes?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112319/"
date_modified: "2026-04-23T01:42:48+00:00"
---

# A student conducts an experiment to determine the constant acceleration \(a\) of a cart that starts from rest and rolls down a long, straight track. The student uses a sensor to collect data for the distance \(d\) the cart travels as a function of time \(t\) since it was released. To determine the acceleration using the slope of a linear graph, the student should plot which of the following quantities on the vertical and horizontal axes?

A student conducts an experiment to determine the constant acceleration \(a\) of a cart that starts from rest and rolls down a long, straight track. The student uses a sensor to collect data for the distance \(d\) the cart travels as a function of time \(t\) since it was released. To determine the acceleration using the slope of a linear graph, the student should plot which of the following quantities on the vertical and horizontal axes?

![A side-view diagram showing a small rectangular cart on a ramp that is inclined at an angle. An arrow labeled d points down the ramp, starting from the back of the cart's initial position. A motion sensor is positioned at the top of the ramp, aligned with the cart's path.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1776908568-GXq5ep.jpg)

- **A.** Vertical axis: \(d\); Horizontal axis: \(t\)
- **B.** Vertical axis: \(d\); Horizontal axis: \(t^2\)
- **C.** Vertical axis: \(d^2\); Horizontal axis: \(t\)
- **D.** Vertical axis: \(d\); Horizontal axis: \(\sqrt{t}\)

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112319/*