Graphical Analysis:

Review of the definitions:

-

Velocity: It is the rate of change of position. It is measured in m/s [N,E,S,W]

o Units: m/s
o

Symbol:

Formula:

d
t

Acceleration: It is the rate at which velocity changes. It is measured in m/s 2

[N,E,S,W]
o Units: m/s2
o
o

Symbol:
Formula:

v
t

In the following graphs, we will study two types of motion:

o Uniform motions: constant velocity (zero acceleration)
o Uniform acceleration: constant non zero acceleration

3 Types of graphs:
1. Position Time Graphs: (d-t) graph. It illustrates 1-D motion.
a. Characteristics:
i. The slope of the linear line segment on a d-t graph tells you the
average velocity.

1
d d 2d
=
Vavg= t
t 2t 1

ii. On a curved graph, draw a secant line to find average velocity

iii. Line tangent to the curved d-t graph will tell you the
instantaneous velocity. [NO TIME INTERVAL IS INVOLVED]
iv. The negative slope of a graph will indicate that velocity is in the
opposite direction.

2. Velocity Time Graphs: (v-t) graphs

a. Characteristics:
i. The slope of the line segment on a v-t graph tells you the
average acceleration.

v v2 v1
a =
=
t t 2t 1

ii. The area under the graph will give you displacement. Using this
displacement, you can find average velocity by dividing Total
displacement/time.

Therefore, the information obtained from v-t Graph

REFER TO PAGE 49 and 50, to know more about how to move from d-t graph
to v-t graph
3. Acceleration Time Graphs: (a-t) graph
a. Characteristics:
i. The area under the graph gives you average velocity.