Motion Graphs

MOTION

The change in position measured by distance and time.

SPEED

Tells the rate at which an object moves.

VELOCITY

Tells the speed and direction of a moving object.

ACCELERATION

Tells the rate at which speed or direction changes.

Horizontal Line (Position Time Graph)

Indicates zero velocity; the object remains at rest.

Straight Diagonal Line (Position Time Graph)

Indicates constant velocity; a positive slope means forward movement, a negative slope means backward movement.

Curved Line (Position Time Graph)

Indicates changing velocity; getting steeper means increasing speed (acceleration), while getting flatter means decreasing speed (deceleration).

Parabolic Curve (Position Time Graph)

Indicates uniform acceleration; opens upwards for acceleration, downwards for deceleration.

Horizontal Line (Velocity Time Graph)

Indicates constant velocity, zero acceleration; above time axis means forward motion, below means backward.

Straight Diagonal Line (Velocity Time Graph)

Indicates constant acceleration or deceleration; positive slope for acceleration, negative slope for deceleration.

Curved Line (Velocity Time Graph)

Indicates changing acceleration; steeper means increasing acceleration, flatter means decreasing.

Line Touching the Time Axis (Velocity Time Graph)

Indicates the object at rest; zero velocity for a period.