Motion Graphs
- Three types of graph that can represent motion are displacement-time graphs, velocity-time graphs and acceleration-time graphs
Displacement-Time Graph
- On a displacement-time graph:
- The gradient (or slope) equals velocity
- The y-intercept equals the initial displacement
- A diagonal straight line represents a constant velocity
- A positive slope represents motion in the positive direction
- A negative slope represents motion in the negative direction
- A curved line represents an acceleration
- A horizontal line (zero slope) represents a state of rest
- The area under the curve is meaningless
- Remember the displacement-time graph can have positive or negative values on the displacement axis. However, a distance-time graph only has positive
Displacement-time graph for different scenarios
Velocity-Time Graph
- On a velocity-time graph:
- Slope equals acceleration
- The y-intercept equals the initial velocity
- A straight line represents uniform acceleration
- A positive slope represents an increase in velocity (acceleration) in the positive direction
- A negative slope represents an increase in velocity (acceleration) in the negative direction
- A curved line represents the non-uniform acceleration
- A horizontal line (zero slope) represents motion with constant velocity
- The area under the curve equals the displacement or distance travelled
- Remember the velocity-time graph can have positive or negative values on the displacement axis. However, a speed-time graph only has positive
Velocity-time graph for different scenarios
Acceleration-Time Graph
- On an acceleration-time graph:
- The slope is meaningless
- The y-intercept equals the initial acceleration
- A horizontal line (zero slope) represents an object undergoing constant acceleration
- The area under the curve equals the change in velocity
Acceleration-time graphs for different velocity scenarios
