Interpreting Motion Graphs

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Interpreting Motion Graphs
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Position vs. Time Graphs
Stationary
Constant velocity in the positive direction
Constant velocity in the negative
direction
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Position vs.Time graphs
Acceleration (Speeding up) in the positive
direction
Acceleration (Slowing down) in the positive
direction
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Position vs.Time graphs
Acceleration (Speeding up) in the negative
direction
Acceleration (Slowing down) in the negative
direction
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Using slope to predict motion

• On a position vs. time graph
• If slope is 0, then velocity is 0.
• If slope is constant positive, velocity is
  constant.
• If slope is constant negative, velocity is
  constant in the opposite direction.
• If slope is changing, velocity is changing. (i.e.
  you are accelerating)

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Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Constant Velocity in the positive direction
Increasing velocity in the positive direction
Decreasingvelocity in the positive direction
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Velocity vs. Time Graphs
Constant Velocity in the negative direction
Increasing velocity in the negative direction
Decreasing velocity in the negative direction
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Using slope to predict motion

• On a velocity vs. time graph
• If slope is 0, then velocity is constant.
• If there is a non-zero slope, the velocity is
  increasing or decreasing (i.e. there is an
  acceleration!)

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What is happening?
V (m/s)
50
t (s)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
-25
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What is happening?
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What is happening?
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What is happening?
d
t
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Draw it! (on a d-t graph)

• Laura walks towards the lunchroom at a constant
  speed. She then realizes that they are serving
  tater tots for lunch and begins to accelerate.
  She gets to the lunch line and comes to a stop.

14
Draw it! (on a v-t graph)

• Laura walks towards the lunchroom at a constant
  speed. She then realizes that they are serving
  tater tots for lunch and begins to accelerate.
  She gets to the lunch line and comes to a stop.