Physics Motion Graphs: Velocity & Acceleration

Physics Motion Graphs: Velocity & Acceleration

Understanding Motion Graphs

Motion can be described using three key graphs: displacement-time (d-t), velocity-time (v-t), and acceleration-time (a-t). These graphs help us visualize and understand how objects move.

Key Relationships:

  • The slope of a d-t graph gives velocity
  • The slope of a v-t graph gives acceleration
  • The area under a v-t graph gives displacement
  • The area under an a-t graph gives change in velocity

Formulas

Average Velocity: v = Δd / Δt

Average Acceleration: a = Δv / Δt

Displacement with constant acceleration: d = v₀t + ½at²

Final velocity with constant acceleration: v = vâ‚€ + at

Motion Graphs

Current Motion Analysis

Body at Rest:

  • Displacement is constant (no change in position)
  • Velocity is zero
  • Acceleration is zero
  • Slope of d-t graph = 0 (velocity)
  • Slope of v-t graph = 0 (acceleration)
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