Velocity vs Time Graphs
Reading Motion vs Time Graphs Think about it Look at the Axes Titles First! What does the graph say about the object’s motion? Practice
Velocity vs. Time Graphs x-axis: Time y-axis: Velocity slope = Acceleration Displacement = Area between line and x-axis horizontal line: constant velocity straight line: uniform acceleration positive slope = positive acceleration negative slope = negative acceleration curved line: non-uniform acceleration
Velocity vs. Time Graphs Determine the acceleration and displacement for each of the graphs.
Motion vs Time Graphs Summarized y-axis is the motion of the object What type of motion (position/velocity/acceleration) is being described? Slope the instantaneous rate of change Slope of position vs time is instantaneous velocity. Slope of velocity vs time is acceleration. Horizontal graph segments means constant Horizontal position vs time means at rest. Horizontal velocity vs time means constant velocity. Horizontal acceleration vs time means constant acceleration. Positive Slopes do not mean movement in the positive direction for all graphs. Negative Slopes do not mean movement in the negative direction for all graphs.