Physical Science Motion Graphs Review

The graph represents the motion of an object. According to the graph, as time increases, the velocity of the object

• decreases

• increases

• remains the same

Answer explanation

Velocity is the slope of the line. Since the slope does not change, the velocity is constant.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

The displacement-time graph represents the motion of a cart initially moving forward along a straight line. During which interval is the cart moving forward at constant speed?

• DE

• CD

• AB

• BC

Answer explanation

Constant speed on a d-t graph is a straight line, forward motion is a positive slope. Therefore, it must be BC.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

The graph represents the velocity-time relationship for a 2.0-kilogram mass moving along a horizontal frictionless surface. What distance does the mass move during interval EF?

• 6.0 m

• 3.0 m

• 2.0 m

• 1.0 m

Answer explanation

Area under the line gives distance. So (1/2)(3s)(2m/s) = 3m

Which graph best represents the motion of an object whose speed is increasing?

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• 
• 

Answer explanation

Increasing speed means the object is accelerating. On a distance vs. time graph where the slope is the velocity, this is shown by a curved line - which indicates a changing velocity!

Which pair of graphs represents the same motion of an object?

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• 
• 

Answer explanation

Both graphs show the objects accelerating, moving forward.

The diagram represents the relationship between velocity and time of travel for four cars, A, B, C, and D, in straight-line motion. Which car has the greatest acceleration during the time interval 10. seconds to 15 seconds?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Answer explanation

Greatest acceleration on a velocity vs. time graph is the steepest slope.

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

The graph represents the relationship between speed and time for an object moving along a straight line. What is the total distance traveled by the object during the first 4 seconds?

• 40 m

• 20 m

• 5 m

• 80 m

Answer explanation

Distance is equal to the area uner the graph;

d = 1/2 b x h

d = 1/2 (4sec)(20m/s)

d = 40 m

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

According to the graph, which quantity related to the motion of the body is constant?

• acceleration

• displacement

• velocity

• speed

Answer explanation

Slope is acceleration and slope is constant

Which graph best represents the motion of a block accelerating uniformly down an inclined plane? (uniformly just means at a constant rate, here - the important word is that it is accelerating)

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• 
• 
• 

Answer explanation

Acceleration on a d-t graph is shown by a curved line

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

The distance-time graph represents the position of an object moving in a straight line. What is the speed of the object during the time interval t = 2.0 seconds to t = 4.0 seconds?

• 7.5 m/s

• 10 m/s

• 5.0 m/s

• 0.0 m/s

Answer explanation

Find the slope of the line between those two points (30-10m)/(4-2s) = 20m/2s = 10 m/s

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1