Motion : Graphs

Distance-time
Speed-time
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
• Sketch, plot and interpret distance–time and speed–time graphs

• Determine, qualitatively, from given data or the shape of a distance–time graph or

speed–time graph when an object is –

(a) at rest

(b) moving with constant speed

(c) accelerating

(d) decelerating

• Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight line section of a distance–time graph
• Calculate acceleration from the gradient of a speed–time graph
 Distance-Time Graphs
10 x
x
x
x
Distance (m)

x
5 x Gradient = Δd/Δt
x = Speed
x
x
x
0x
0 5 10
Time (s)
• The speed of an object can be calculated from the gradient of the
distance-time graph.
 Motion
Explain how to calculate velocity / speed.

Explain how to calculate acceleration.

Use velocity/time graphs to calculate acceleration.

 Velocity-Time Graphs
10 x
x
x
x
Velocity (m/s)

x
5 x
x
x
x
x
0x
0 5 10
Time (s)
 Velocity-Time Graphs
10 x
x
x
x
Velocity (m/s)

x
5 x
Gradient = 10 m/s /10 s
x
x = 1 m/s2
x
x
0x
0 5 10
Time (s)
 Velocity-Time Graphs
10 a = 0 m/s2

Velocity (m/s)

5x x x x x x x x x x x

0
0 5 10
Time (s)
• The displacement of an object can be calculated from the area
under a velocity-time graph.

• The acceleration of an object can be calculated from the gradient of

the velocity-time graph.
 Velocity-Time Graphs
10 x
x
x
x
Velocity (m/s)

x
5 x
x Area = ½ b x h
x
x = ½ x 10 x 10

x = 50 m
0x
0 5 10
Time (s)
 Recap – Distance-Time Graphs
10

Distance (m) 5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (s)
What does the graph show?
How can we calculate the speed?
Which line shows the faster speed?
Acceleration
• Rate of change of velocity
• when the velocity of an object changes it has
acceleration
• when the velocity of the object increase, the
acceleration is said to be positive
• when the velocity of the object decrease, the
acceleration is said to be negative (Retardation)
 Recap - Velocity-Time Graphs
10

Velocity (m/s) 5

0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (s)
What does the graph show?
How can we calculate the acceleration?
Which line shows deceleration?
How can we calculate total distance?
 Motion Graphs
Draw distance/time graphs showing:
Stationary objects.
Objects moving at constant speed.
Calculating speed.
Draw speed/time graphs showing:
Objects moving at constant speed.
Objects moving at increasing speed.
Calculating acceleration.
Calculating distance travelled
Describe the motion of the objects

The Red object is in

• Uniform motion

The Green object is in

• Uniform motion (first 4s)
• At rest (4 - 7s)

Compare the speeds of the two

• Which has more speed?
Describe the motion of the object
Is the object
• At rest
• Uniform motion
• Accelerating
• retarding
Describe the motion of the object
Is the object
• At rest
• Uniform motion
• Accelerating
• retarding
Q1.
An elevator starts from rest at the ground of a building. The v-t graph
shows its motion from ground to the top of the building
Using graph, determine the distance from the ground floor to the top
floor of the building.
Calculate the acceleration of the elevator during the three motions.

a1=_________________

a2=_________________

a3=_________________
Q2.
Q3.
Q4.