1. Motion Graphs
Physics

2. How to interpret a Position vs. time Graph
Low on the graph.
Far
Away
High on the graph. x
Slopes uphill.
Toward
Near t
Slopes downhill.

3. How to interpret a Position vs. time Graph
Steep slope.
Not moving
Fast
Turn
Gradual slope. x
Slow
Slope is flat. t
Slope changes direction

4. How to interpret a Velocity vs. time Graph
In top quadrant.
Fast
+ Quadrant
In bottom quadrant.
Away
Far from the time axis.
Slow v
Close to the time axis.
Slow t
Toward
On the time axis.
Fast
- Quadrant

5. How to interpret a Velocity vs. time Graph
Gets further from time axis.
Constant speed
Gets closer to the time axis.
Getting faster
Turn
Slowing down
Line is flat. v t
Slowing down
Switches quadrants
Getting faster

6. Draw a MOTION MAP a POSITION graph and a VELOCITY graph for each of the following scenarios.. . . . R . . . . . . R

7. Draw a MOTION MAP a POSITION graph and a VELOCITY graph for each of the following scenarios.

8. Draw a MOTION MAP a POSITION graph and a VELOCITY graph for each of the following scenarios.

9. The following graphs are POSITION vs. TIME
The following graphs are POSITION vs. TIME. Describe the motion of objects A and B below each graph.
SAME:
DIFFERENT:
BOTH MOVING AWAY AT CONSTANT SPEEDS.
SAME:
DIFFERENT:
BOTH MOVING AT SAME SPEED. (KNOW THIS BECAUSE THEY ARE PARALLEL.)
A IS GOING FASTER.
A GOT A HEAD START (POSITION WISE).
A DID NOT START AT ZERO.

10. The following graphs are POSITION vs. TIME
The following graphs are POSITION vs. TIME. Describe the motion of objects A and B below each graph.
BOTH: A: B: W: M:
WHERE IS THE SPEED THE SAME? A: B: Q: Z:
BOTH ARE MOVING AWAY
A IS MOVING AWAY AT A CONSTANT SPEED.
A IS SPEEDING UP.
B IS SLOWING DOWN.
B IS NOT MOVING.
W IS WHERE THEY PASS.
Q IS WHERE B IS AT.
M IS WHEN THEY PASS.
WHEN THEY ARE PARALLEL.
Z IS THE TIME A PASSED B.

11. The following graphs are VELOCITY vs. TIME
The following graphs are VELOCITY vs. TIME. Describe the motion of objects A and B below each graph.
SAME:
DIFFERENT:
BOTH MOVING AWAY AT CONSTANT SPEEDS.
SAME: A: B:
BOTH MOVING AT CONSTANT SPEEDS.
A IS GOING AWAY.
A IS GOING FASTER THAN B.
B IS COMING BACK.
SO SAME SPEEDS BUT DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS.

12. The following graphs are VELOCITY vs. TIME
The following graphs are VELOCITY vs. TIME. Describe the motion of objects A and B below each graph. 1 2 3
SAME VELOCITY HERE
SAME: A: B:
A & B MOVE AWAY. 1) 2) 3)
MOVING AWAY AND GETTING SLOWER
STOPS (INSTANTANEOUS STOP) AND TURNS
A IS GETTING FASTER.
COMING BACK AND GETTING FASTER.
B IS GETTING SLOWER.
EXAMPLE OF THIS IS THROWING A BALL.

13. HOW TO INTERPRET AN ACCELERATION VS. TIME GRAPH
When it comes to acceleration graphs there are three kinds to choose from:
POSITIVE
NEGATIVE
ZERO

14. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ACCELERATION GRAPH TO CHOOSE?
Looking at VELOCITY graphs:
If the velocity graph goes up, then…
Example
If the velocity graph goes down, then...
POSITIVE ACCELERATION. v t v t a t
NEGATIVE ACCELERATION. v t v t a t

15. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ACCELERATION GRAPH TO CHOOSE?
VELOCITY graphs (Cont.):
If the velocity graph is constant, then…
Example
I know this because...
ZERO ACCELERATION. v t v t a t
ACCELERATION IS THE SLOPE OF A VELOCITY VS. TIME GRAPH

16. HOW DO I KNOW WHICH ACCELERATION GRAPH TO CHOOSE?
Looking at POSITION graphs:
If the position vs. time graph makes a smiley face or half of a smiley face, then…
Example
If the position vs. time graph makes a frowny face or half a frowny face, then...
POSITIVE ACCELERATION. x x x a t
Tell them about the homework. They will need to save it as they go along. It should warn them as they hit the back button that they will loose their work, however safer to not use the back button.
NEGATIVE ACCELERATION. x x x a t t t t