Video Notes: Constant Velocity and Graphs

Flashcards covering key concepts from velocity, displacement, distance, time, and how to read Position-Time and Velocity-Time graphs.

Displacement

The straight-line change in position from start to end, including direction; equals Δx and is measured in meters (m).

Distance

The total length of the path traveled, regardless of direction; not the same as displacement.

Velocity

The speed of an object in a given direction; a vector quantity with units of m/s and a sign indicating direction.

Speed

How fast an object is moving; the magnitude of velocity; a scalar value.

Time

The duration over which motion occurs; measured in seconds (s).

Positive Velocity

Velocity greater than zero; indicates movement in the positive direction (e.g., right).

Negative Velocity

Velocity less than zero; indicates movement in the negative direction (e.g., left).

Rest

Zero velocity; the object is not moving.

Position-Time Graph

Plot of position x versus time t; slope represents velocity; positive slope means moving right, negative means left, zero means rest.

Velocity-Time Graph

Plot of velocity v versus time t; area under the curve gives displacement; above axis is positive velocity, below axis is negative.

Slope on p-t

The rate of change of position with time on a Position-Time graph; equals velocity.

Constant Velocity

A motion where velocity does not change over time; displacement increases linearly with time.

Distance-Time Graph (D-t)

Graph of distance traveled versus time; distance increases with movement and never decreases.

Axis Check

Always verify the axes on a graph before interpreting slope or sign.

Displacement Formula

Δx = v × Δt for constant velocity; equivalently v = Δx/Δt.

Describe the motion

Object stopped moving

Describe the motion

Distance increasing

Describe direction

Moving right

Describe direction

None (stopped moving)