Motion Graphs

Motion Graphs

​At the end of lesson, you should be able to interpret and analyze data about speed, distance, velocity, acceleration and time from graphs.

by Ms. Taylor

​

​Use to aid with the completion of the Graphs Foldable

**​ALWAYS pay attention to the labels on Axes!!

​Motion graphs-

​This is a graphical display of the relationship between speed, velocity, distance and time and acceleration. Just as a reminder, the definitions of common terms are below:

​Acceleration - the rate of change of velocity per unit of time. (Vector quantity)

Displacement - the amount by which a thing is moved from its original position. (Vector quantity)

Distance -  an amount of space between two things or people. (Scalar quantity)

Mass - the amount of matter in an object. (Scalar quantity)

Speed - distance an object travels per unit of time. (Scalar quantity)

Velocity - speed and direction of a moving object. (Vector quantity)

​PART A

Multiple Choice

On a distance vs. time graph, the steeper the slope _____

• the slower the speed
• the faster the speed
• less acceleration
• greater acceleration

Multiple Choice

On this position vs time graph, describe the motion of A.

• constant positive velocity

• constant negative velocity

• positive acceleration

• negative acceleration

• velocity is zero

Multiple Choice

 The graph shows Ashley riding her bike to Maria's house. 
What is occurring from point A to point B?

• they are traveling at a constant speed
• they are decreasing in speed
• they stopped to take a break

Multiple Choice

What is happening at B?

• Stationary
• Accelerating
• Steady speed; moving away from the starting position

• Steady speed; returning to start position

Multiple Choice

What is this graph showing?

• Constant Speed
• Acceleration (speeding up)
• Deceleration (slowing down)
• No motion

Multiple Choice

What does this graph represent?

• Constant speed
• Acceleration
• Not moving

Multiple Choice

Susie went to the store, when she got there she realized that she forgot her wallet and returned home.

Which graph matches this motion?

Multiple Choice

Which runner stopped for a rest?

• Albert
• Bob
• Charlie

Multiple Choice

Which graph shows the object standing still?

• A
• B
• C
• D

​Calculating from graph

​ You can calculate the average speed/velocity from a distance time graph. To do this:

​1. determine the total distance

​2. divide by the total time it takes to reach final

distant (final time -starting time)

​

​ex. Calculate the speed of the object in graph.

speed= distance/time

​speed =200/4

​hence, speed = 50 m/s

Multiple Choice

On this position vs time graph, what is the velocity?

• 40 m/s

• 8 m/s

• 5 m/s

• 0 m/s

Multiple Choice

Which runner won the race?

• A
• B
• C

Multiple Choice

Anne cycles from Bristol to Salisbury.

The diagram shows the distance-time graph of her journey.

What is Anne's speed for the first two hours of her journey?

• 40 mph

• 30 mph

• 20 mph

• 10 mph

​PART B

• ​Steeper the diagonal means faster acceleration.

• ​Deceleration means negative acceleration-diagonal line going down

​Summary

Multiple Choice

What is this graph showing?

• At rest

• Acceleration

• Constant speed of 1 m/s

• Gradually speeding up

Multiple Choice

What is this graph showing?

• Fast constant speed

• Slow constant speed

• At rest

• Accelerating

Multiple Choice

What is this graph showing?

• Constantly slowing down

• Constantly speeding up

• Acceleration

• Returning to starting point

Multiple Choice

• Accelerating gradually

• Stopping

• Slowing down constantly

• Speeding up constantly

Multiple Choice

At what point is the speed the greatest?

• C-D

• B-C

• A-B

• D-E

Multiple Choice

Match the graph to the description:

"The car is accelerating at a constant rate."

Multiple Choice

What does this graph represent?

• Constant speed
• Acceleration
• Not moving

Multiple Choice

In which of the following graphs below are both runners moving at the same speed?