Graphing Motion, Speed

and Velocity

Graphs of Motion

Position vs Time

Velocity vs Time

Acceleration vs Time

Position vs. Time Graph

A straight line always means the object moves the same distance during each time period.

Remember: this is CONSTANT velocity!

The slope on a position vs. time graph is the velocity.

The greater the slope (steeper line) means a faster velocity.

Which runner is traveling faster?

Slope

The steepness of a line is measured by finding its slope.

The slope of a line is the ratio of the “rise” to the “run”

3 Types of Motion on

Position vs Time Graph

Velocity vs Time Graph

The slope of a

velocity vs time

graph is constant acceleration.

The greater the

slope, the faster

the acceleration

A curve means the acceleration

is changing

Graphing AccelerationA change in velocity

–Speeding up

Positive acceleration

–Slowing down

Negative acceleration

3 Types of Motion on

Velocity vs Time Graph

Notice: The speed is not changing = constant speed

(This is the same data plotted on two different graphs!)