Kinematic Graphs

3 graphs - same movement

1. What types of graphs are present in each line?

2. Each row is labeled with a different type of movement. In your own words describe each type of movement (ex. – what is stationary)

3. Why do 3 graphs of the same motion look different?

Essential elements of kinematic graphs

• Quadrant – the area of the Cartesian plane that the graph is located in.• Point – any point on the graph

line• Slope – the amount of slope for

each line segment on the graph• Area under the graph – the area

between the x-axis and the graph line

The position v. time graph

• Quadrant – position relative to the starting point. In QI the object is in the positive direction from the starting point.• Point on the graph – position at

that particular instant in time.• Slope – velocity (speed) of the

object• Area under the graph – tells

nothing of value

2 questions about the position v. time graph1. What is the velocity (speed and direction of movement) of the

object at 35 s?2. Where is the object located at 20 s? Is this in front of or behind the

starting position? What about at 40 s?

The velocity v. time graph

• Quadrant – the direction of the objects movement (ex. – in QI the object is moving in the + direction)• Point – each point represents the

object’s velocity at that instant in time• Slope – the slope represents the

magnitude and direction of the object’s acceleration• Area under the graph – represents

the object’s position at that instant in time

5 questions about the velocity v. time graph1. What is the object’s speed at 2 s? At 4 s?2. What is the object’s acceleration from 2 – 3 s?3. What is the object’s acceleration from 0 – 2 s? Is it speeding up or

slowing down? What is it’s direction?4. What is the object’s acceleration from 4 – 5 s? Is it speeding up or

slowing down? What is it’s direction?5. What is the object’s displacement at 3 s?

The acceleration v. time graph

• Quadrant – the direction of the object’s acceleration (ex. In QI the acceleration is positive)• Point – the acceleration of the

object at that particular instant in time.• Slope – the change in

acceleration over time• Area under the graph – the

velocity of the object

3 questions about the acceleration v. time graph1. When is the object not accelerating?2. What is the acceleration of the object at 15 s? Is it speeding up or

slowing down?3. What is the object’s speed at 9 s?