Motion Graphs
- Three types of graph that can represent motion are displacement-time graphs, velocity-time graphs and acceleration-time graphs
Displacement-Time Graphs
- On a displacement-time graph…
- slope equals velocity
- the y-intercept equals the initial displacement
- a straight(diagonal) line represents a constant velocity
- a curved line represents an acceleration
- a positive slope represents motion in the positive direction
- a negative slope represents motion in the negative direction
- a zero slope (horizontal line) represents a state of rest
- the area under the curve is meaningless
Displacement-time graphs for different scenarios
The displacement-time graph for constant velocity is a straight diagonal line, and for acceleration is a curve
Velocity-Time Graphs
- On a velocity-time graph…
- slope equals acceleration
- the y-intercept equals the initial velocity
- a straight line represents uniform acceleration
- a curved line represents non-uniform acceleration
- a positive slope represents an increase in velocity in the positive direction
- a negative slope represents an increase in velocity in the negative direction
- a zero slope (horizontal line) represents motion with constant velocity
- the area under the curve equals the displacement or distance travelled
Velocity-time graphs for different scenarios
The velocity-time graph for constant velocity is a straight horizontal line, for acceleration is a straight diagonal line and for increasing acceleration is a curve
Acceleration-Time Graphs
- On an acceleration-time graph…
- slope is meaningless
- the y-intercept equals the initial acceleration
- a zero slope (horizontal line) represents an object undergoing constant acceleration
- the area under the curve equals the change in velocity
Acceleration-time graph for different scenarios
The acceleration-time graph for constant velocity is blank, for increasing velocity is a straight horizontal line and for increasing acceleration is a straight diagonal line
