1. Regents Physics Mr. Rockensies
Motion Graphs
Regents Physics
Mr. Rockensies

2. Distance v Time Graphs D T
Object is not moving. It remains in place at the position indicated on the y-axis

3. Distance v Time Graphs Slope = Δy/ Δx Slope = Δd/ Δt = v D T
Object is moving. The slope represents the speed of the object. For this example, it is moving at a constant speed.

4. Distance v Time Graphs Slope = Δy/ Δx Slope = Δd/ Δt = v D T
Object is moving. The slope is increasing, therefore the speed is increasing. If the speed is increasing, we can say the object is accelerating.

5. Displacement v Time Graphs
On a distance v time graph, you won’t see a negative slope since the direction isn’t relevant (you can’t travel a negative distance).
For a displacement v time graph, negative slopes are possible since you can travel North (positive) versus South (negative).
When interpreting a displace v time graph, read the question CAREFULLY! On the graph pictured on the left, the distance is greater than the displacement since the object started traveling backwards at some point! D T

6. Velocity v. Time Graphs V T
Object is moving at a constant velocity. No acceleration.

7. Velocity v. Time Graphs V T
Object is increasing in velocity. Constant acceleration.

8. Velocity v. Time Graphs V T
Object is increasing in velocity. Increasing acceleration.

9. Velocity v. Time Graphs V T
Object starts with a negative velocity (moving in reverse), but is slowing down. At the point when it crosses the x-axis, the object momentarily stops. Once above the x-axis, the object is now increasing in velocity in the positive direction (forward).
The whole time, it has a POSITIVE ACCELERATION.

10. Velocity v. Time Graphs V T
Object starts with a positive velocity (moving forward), but is slowing down. At the point when it crosses the x-axis, the object momentarily stops. Once below the x-axis, the object is now increasing in velocity in the negative direction (reverse).
The whole time, it has a NEGATIVE ACCELERATION.

11. Side by Side V D T T