Position vs Time Graphs Name:
The slope of the line or a tangent to the curve for a position vs time graph tells us the velocity of an object!
· If the velocity is constant, then the slope is constant (i.e., a straight line).
· If the velocity is changing (accerlation), then the slope is changing (i.e., a curved line).
· If the velocity is positive, then the slope is positive (i.e., moving upwards and to the right).
· If the velocity is negative, then the slope is negative (i.e., moving downwards and to the right)
· The steeper the line is, the faster the object is moving.
Describe the motion of each object from the graph of its position vs time. For each graph, answer the following 3 questions:
a) constant velocity or acceleration
b) positive or negative velocity
c) moving fast or slow, or speeding up or slowing down
1. 2. 3.
a) a) a)
b) b) b)
c) c) c)
4. 5. 6.
a) a) a)
b) b) b)
c) c) c)
Sketch a distance vs time graph to represent:
1. An object moving forward with 2. An object standing still. 3. An object which changes direction
a steady (constant) velocity.
4. An object moving backwards with 5. Object speeds up then slows down 6. An object which accelerates
a steady (constant) velocity.
For this set of data, graph position vs. time on graph paper. You will NOT draw best-fit straight lines- connect the dots instead. Remember to put title, data points with circles, label the axes, and put units. Then desribe the motion of the object, with both words and numbers.
Time (s) / Position (m)0 / 0
10 / 200
20 / 400
30 / 500
40 / 600
50 / 700
Describe the motion of the object: