Exploring Motion Graphs
Go to the website: www.physicsclassroom.com
Select the Physics Tutorial page Select the 1-D Kinematics unit
Read through each of the lessons as outlined below. You are responsible for the terms and concepts presented. After viewing an animation from the Multimedia Studio, you will need to return to the tutorial. The “Check Your Understanding” section at the end of each lesson provides a self-evaluation for the lesson
Lesson 1: Describing Motion with Words
o Introduction to the Language of Kinematics
o Scalars and Vectors
o Distance and Displacement
o Speed and Velocity
o Acceleration
1) Know how to use these terms and the appropriate SI units:
· scalar / · vector / · distance / · displacement· speed / · velocity / · average speed / · average velocity
· instantaneous speed / · acceleration
Lesson 2: Describing Motion with Diagrams
o Introduction to Diagrams
o Ticker Tape Diagrams
2) What is a ticker tape diagram?
3) The distance between dots on a ticker tape represents the object’s ______change during that time interval.
4) A large distance between dots indicates that the object was______.
5) A small distance between dots indicates that the object was ______.
6) Evenly spaced dots on a ticker tape indicates ______.
7) Increasing distance between the dots indicates ______.
Lesson 3: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs
o The Meaning of Shape for a Position-Time Graph
o The Meaning of Slope for a Position-Time Graph
o Determining the Slope for a Position-Time Graph
8) Sketch the position-time graphs for each of the situations described:
Positive, Constant Velocity / Positive, Changing Velocity (Acceleration)9) The slope of a position-time graph represents ______.
10) How does the position-time graph of an object moving to the right compare to that of an object moving to the left?
11) How does the position-time graph for a slow moving object compare to a fast moving object?
Lesson 4: Describing Motion with Velocity vs. Time Graphs
o The Meaning of Shape for a Velocity-Time Graph
o The Meaning of Slope for a Velocity-Time Graph
o Relating the Shape to the Motion
o Determining the Slope of a Velocity-Time Graph
o Determining the Area on a Velocity-Time Graph
12) Sketch the velocity-time graphs for each of the situations described:
Positive VelocityZero Acceleration / Positive Velocity
Positive Acceleration
13) The slope of a velocity-time graph represents ______.
14) Using the third section of this lesson, sketch velocity-time graphs for each of the following descriptions:
Constant, rightward (+) velocity / Constant, leftward (-) velocityRightward (+) velocity with
Rightward (+) acceleration / Rightward (+) velocity with
Leftward (-) acceleration
Leftward (-) velocity with
Rightward (+) acceleration / Leftward (-) velocity with
Leftward (-) acceleration
15) What does the area under a velocity-time graph represent?