II. Motion Diagrams - plots of motion data
- provides a detailed, visual way of describing motion
A. Displacement vs. Time Plot
(d) Displacement
(distance from start) meters
To understand the motion that produced this plot we must look at the slope
Slope =
∆y/∆x
= ∆d/∆t
= Velocity
2 types of motion
shown in this plot
1. Constant Positive Velocity
2. Constant Negative Velocity
Calculating Velocity
V = ∆d/∆t
= (10 m - 5 m)/(4 sec - 2 sec)
= +2.5 m/s
|
Slope of a
d vs. t graph tells you about the
|
| Slope | Velocity |
| + 2.5 m/s | + 2.5 m/s |
| Constant | Constant |
| Positive | Positive |
A to B
Constant velocity
B to C
Increasing Velocity,
then Decreasing Velocity
D
Rest V = 0
D to E
Increasing Velocity