Velocity-Time Graphs and Acceleration
What does a v-t graph look like? Time is marked on the horizontal axis and velocity is on the vertical. Graphs that represent an object’s velocity versus its time.
What can we determine from a velocity time graph? Velocity and speed Time Acceleration Displacement and distance
What can we determine from a velocity time graph? Velocity - reading directly off the y-axis
What can we determine from a velocity time graph? Time (read off the x-axis)
What can we determine from a velocity time graph? Displacement = area under the curve NOTE: Area formulas: –Area rectangle = length x width –Area triangle = ½ base x height
What can we determine from a velocity time graph? Acceleration = v/t = slope
What can you find from a v-t graph Acceleration = slope at a point on the graph (you may have to use a tangent) Average acceleration = finding the slope of a segment (use the start and end points)
Velocity-Time Graphs
Interpreting v-t graphs Horizontal lines show uniform motion (constant speed and direction). Inclined lines show change in speed or direction, or both: in other words accelerated motion.