Position vs.

Time Graphs

Shape and slope of lines on the graph--give meaning. For Position vs. Time, we can interpret the velocity.

constant, rightward (+) velocity - say of +10 m/s.

Result: motion described as a constant, positive velocity results in a line of constant and positive slope when plotted as a position-time graph.

Accelerating Motion
rightward (+), changing velocity - that is, a car that is moving rightward but speeding up or accelerating.

Result: a motion described as a changing, positive velocity results in a line of changing and positive slope when plotted as a position-time graph. (QUADRATIC)

Review
Constant Velocity Positive Velocity Positive Velocity Changing Velocity (acceleration)

Importance of Slope P vs. t

Remember slope of a line? Slope reveals info about velocity As the slope goes, so goes the velocity Constant Velocity=Constant Slope (straight line) Velocity changes=slope changes (curved line) Velocity is positive = slope is positive (moving upwards and to the right) Steeper slope, faster velocity

Which Has a Greater Velocity?

Slow, Rightward(+) Constant Velocity Fast, Rightward(+) Constant Velocity

Negative Slope
Slow, Leftward(-) Constant Velocity Fast, Leftward(-) Constant Velocity

Back to Curved Slope Lines

Curved Lines = changing slope = acceleration Starts with a small slope Ends with a large slope What does this say about its velocity in the beginning and the end?

Example:

If Paul walks three meters at 1 m/s, then stops and walks back at 1.5 m/s, what would the P vs. T graph look like?

Velocity vs. Time Graph

Note that a motion described as a constant, positive velocity results in a line of zero slope (a horizontal line has zero slope Slope for V vs. T = acceleration

constant, rightward (+) velocity - say of +10 m/s

Accelerated Motion

A car that is moving rightward but speeding up or accelerating. The slope of the line is positive, corresponding to the positive acceleration

rightward (+), changing velocity

Review
Positive Velocity Zero Acceleration Positive Velocity Positive Acceleration

Meaning of Slope V vs. t

Slope of a velocity-time graph reveals info about the acceleration. Acceleration, zero = straight line (zero slope) Positive acceleration, positive slope (upward line) Negative acceleration, negative slope (downward sloping line)

Positive and Negative

Positive direction, if it lies above zero. Negative direction if it lies below zero. Can be speeding up or slowing down. If it crosses over zero on x-axis, it changes direction.

Example

If Paul walks three meters at 1 m/s, then stops and walks back at 1.5 m/s, what would the V vs. T graph look like?

Speeding up or Slowing down?

Speeding up if the magnitude (numerical value) of velocity is getting larger. From 3 m/s to 9 m/s or from -3 m/s to -9 m/s. The number itself is key, not the sign or direction. Speed up: moving away from 0-velocity line Slowing down: moving towards the 0-velocity line.