Distance-Time Graphs
You can represent the motion of an object on a distance time graph. If the object is moving forwards the line slopes up and backwards the line slopes down. If an object is stationary the line is flat.
You can find out the speed of an object by finding the gradient of the line. The steeper the line, the faster the object. |
Velocity-Time Graph
Another method of representing motion is a velocity-time graph.
This time, if the graph is flat, the object is moving at steady speed, sloping upwards the object's speed is increasing or downwards, decreasing. If the object is stationary, its velocity is zero. You can find the acceleration of an object by finding the gradient of the slope: Acceleration is measured in m/s/s. If an object is accelerating it is changing its velocity so it is speeding up, slowing down or changing direction.
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You can also find the distance an object has travelled by finding the area under the graph.
You will have to divide it up into rectangles and triangles to get a better estimate of the area. |
You might find this Phet simulation useful: