Graphical representation of motion

Draw and analyze distance-time graphs, displacement-time graphs, velocity-time

graphs and acceleration-time graphs.
Distance/displacement-time graphs: gradient gives the velocity.
d
d
d

t
t

Average velocity involves the total displacement and the total time required for
displacement. Contrast average velocity with instantaneous velocities for the
following graph:
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
0

0.005

0.01

0.015

0.02

0.025

0.03

0.035

t ( h)

Velocity time graphs: gradient gives acceleration; area gives displacement.

(+ slope/gradient = + acceleration; 0 slope = steady speed/uniform motion;
- slope = - acceleration (deceleration))
10
v(m s-1)
0

10

15

20

25

30

t(s)

When acceleration continually increases, it can only be determined at a point on

the curve (instantaneous accel.) by drawing the tangent to the curve and
calculating the triangle gradient.

Calculate the interpret the gradients of displacement-time graphs and velocitytime graphs, and the areas under velocity-time graphs and acceleration-time
graphs.
1. Determine the following quantities for each section of the displacement-time graph:

Slope 1

Slope 2

Slope 3

Slope 4

Slope 5

Slope 6

d (m)
t (s)
V (m s-1)
8
6
4
2
0
-2 0

10

12

14

16

18

-4
-6
-8
-10
-12
t( s)

2. Find the velocity in each section of the following position-time graph:

25
20
15
10
5
0
0

10

12

14

16

-5
-1 0

-1 5

t ( s)

1. From the following graphs determine the acceleration and displacement for
each interval:
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1 0

-2
-3
-4
-5
t ( s)

10

12

14

16

25
20

v (m /s)

15
10
5
0
-5 0

10

15

20

25

30

35

-10
t (s)

Determine relative velocity in one and in two dimensions.

Sometimes it is necessary to consider the v of an object relative to a second
moving object (relative velocity).
180
150

120

Imagine a chase where a car traveling E at 120 km h-1 is being chased by a police
car traveling at 150 km h-1; each minute, the car travels 2 km, and the police, 2.5
km. The police catches up by 0.5 km min-1, closing in with a relative speed of 30
km h-1. Additionally, an oncoming helicopter approaches the speeding car with a
velocity of 180 km h-1.
Velocities? Relative velocities?