10
Graphing Motion, Speed and Velocity
Graphing Motion, Speed
and Velocity
Graphs of Motion
Position vs Time
Velocity vs Time
Acceleration vs Time
Position vs. Time Graph
A straight line always means the object moves the same distance during each time period.
Remember: this is CONSTANT velocity!
The slope on a position vs. time graph is the velocity.
The greater the slope (steeper line) means a faster velocity.
Which runner is traveling faster?
Slope
The steepness of a line is measured by finding its slope.
The slope of a line is the ratio of the “rise” to the “run”
3 Types of Motion on
Position vs Time Graph
Velocity vs Time Graph
The slope of a
velocity vs time
graph is constant acceleration.
The greater the
slope, the faster
the acceleration
A curve means the acceleration
is changing
Graphing AccelerationA change in velocity
–Speeding up
Positive acceleration
–Slowing down
Negative acceleration
3 Types of Motion on
Velocity vs Time Graph
Notice: The speed is not changing = constant speed
(This is the same data plotted on two different graphs!)
