Motion Graphs

1D Motion

What does a Position vs. Time graph show?

How an object's position changes over time.

What does the slope represent in a Position vs. Time graph?

Velocity.

What is the formula for velocity derived from a Position vs. Time graph?

∆ position / ∆ time = xf - xi / tf - ti.

What indicates an object is at rest in a Position vs. Time graph?

A flat line (no slope).

What does a straight, upward line in a Position vs. Time graph indicate?

Constant positive velocity.

What does a curved upward line in a Position vs. Time graph represent?

Speeding up in the positive direction -> positive acceleration.

What does a curve flattening out in a Position vs. Time graph indicate?

Slowing down in the positive direction -> negative acceleration.

What is shown by a curved downward line in a Position vs. Time graph?

Speeding up in the negative direction -> negative acceleration.

What does a straight, downward line in a Position vs. Time graph represent?

Constant velocity in the negative direction.

What does a Velocity vs. Time graph show?

How velocity changes with time.

What does the slope represent in a Velocity vs. Time graph?

Acceleration.

What does the area under the graph in a Velocity vs. Time graph represent?

Displacement.

What indicates a constant velocity in the positive direction in a Velocity vs. Time graph?

Flat, positive line.

What does a line at 0 in a Velocity vs. Time graph indicate?

Object is at rest.

What does a sloping upward line in a Velocity vs. Time graph indicate?

Speeding up in the positive direction -> positive acceleration.

What does a flat line below 0 in a Velocity vs. Time graph represent?

Constant velocity in the negative direction.