Interpreting graphs of motion

Front

What does a constant speed on a graph indicate about an object's motion?

Back

The object is moving in a straight line without acceleration.

Front

How can you determine if two objects are moving at the same speed on a graph?

Back

If the slopes of their position vs. time graphs are equal, they are moving at the same speed.

Front

What does it mean when an object is described as 'at rest' in terms of its graph?

Back

The object's position does not change over time, represented by a horizontal line on a position vs. time graph.

Front

How can you identify the time interval during which an object has the greatest speed on a graph?

Back

Look for the steepest slope on the position vs. time graph; the steeper the slope, the greater the speed.

Front

What does a positive slope on a position vs. time graph indicate about an object's motion?

Back

The object is moving away from the starting point.

Front

What does a negative slope on a position vs. time graph indicate about an object's motion?

Back

The object is moving back towards the starting point.

Front

What does it mean for an object to be 'speeding up' on a graph?

Back

The object's velocity is increasing, which is shown by a curve that gets steeper on a position vs. time graph.

Front

What is the significance of a flat line on a velocity vs. time graph?

Back

It indicates that the object is moving at a constant velocity.

Front

How can you tell if an object is accelerating on a position vs. time graph?

Back

If the graph is curved, it indicates that the object's speed is changing.

Front

What does the area under a velocity vs. time graph represent?

Back

The total displacement of the object over that time interval.