Interpreting Motion Graphs

Position vs. Time Graphs StationaryConstant velocity in the positive direction Constant velocity in the negative direction

Position vs.Time graphs Acceleration (Speeding up) in the positive direction Acceleration (Slowing down) in the positive direction

Position vs.Time graphs Acceleration (Speeding up) in the negative direction Acceleration (Slowing down) in the negative direction

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)

Velocity vs. Time Graphs Constant Velocity in the positive direction Increasing velocity in the positive direction Decreasing velocity in the positive direction

Velocity vs. Time Graphs Constant Velocity in the negative direction Increasing velocity in the negative direction Decreasing velocity in the negative direction

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!)

V (m/s) t (s) What is happening?

d t

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.

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.