Motion Graphs

Time is always plotted on the X-axis (bottom of the graph). The further to the right on the axis, the longer the time from the start.

Distance is plotted on the Y-axis (side of the graph). The higher up the graph, the further from the start.

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Time is increasing to the right, but its distance does not change. It is not moving. We say it is At Rest.

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A steeper line indicates a larger distance moved in a given time. In other words, higher speed.

Both lines are straight, so both speeds are constant.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

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Speed-Time graphs look much like DistanceTime graphs. Be sure to read the labels!! Time is plotted on the X-axis. Speed or velocity is plotted on the Y-axis.

A straight horizontal line on a speed-time graph means that speed is constant. It is not changing over time. 

A straight line does not mean that the object is not moving!

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Time is increasing to the right, and distance is increasing constantly with time. The object moves at a constant speed. 

Constant speed is shown by straight lines on a graph.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

Both the dashed and solid line show increasing speed. 

Both lines reach the same top speed, but the solid one takes longer. 

The dashed line shows a greater acceleration.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

This graph shows increasing speed. The moving object is accelerating.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

The line on this graph is curving upwards. This shows an increase in speed, since the line is getting steeper:

 In other words, in a given time, the distance the object moves is change (getting larger). It is accelerating.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

This graph shows decreasing speed. The moving object is decelerating.

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Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1