Motion Graphs

Front

What is a motion graph?

Back

A visual representation of an object's movement over time, showing how position changes with time.

Front

What does a horizontal line on a motion graph indicate?

Back

The object is not moving; its position remains constant.

Front

What does a straight diagonal line on a motion graph represent?

Back

The object is moving at a constant speed.

Front

What does a curved line on a motion graph indicate?

Back

The object is accelerating or decelerating.

Front

How can you determine the speed from a motion graph?

Back

The speed is determined by the slope of the line; steeper slopes indicate higher speeds.

Front

What does a downward slope on a motion graph signify?

Back

The object is moving back towards the starting point.

Front

What is acceleration?

Back

The rate of change of velocity of an object; it can be positive (speeding up) or negative (slowing down).

Front

What does a flat line at the bottom of a motion graph represent?

Back

The object is at rest; it is not moving.

Front

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Back

Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), while velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Front

How can you tell if an object is speeding up on a motion graph?

Back

If the slope of the line is increasing, the object is speeding up.