Graphing Movement

1
Graphing Movement

• Graphs are a useful and easy way to analyze data.
• For analyzing motion, we will use 2 types of
  graphs
• Position- time graphs
• Velocity- time graphs

2
Position-Time graphs

• Guess what each axis measures?
• The x-axis measures time (in seconds).
• The y-axis measures position (in meters).

3
Position-Time graphs

• This interactive website allows you to move a
  bike and see the resulting position-time graph
• http//id.mind.net/zona/mstm/physics/mechanics/ki
  nematics/xvaVsTime/xVsTime.html

4
Position-Time graphs

• The slope of a position-time graph represents
  what variable?
• Remember that slope ?y/?x.
• Also remember that units are our friends!

5
Position-Time graphs

• Since slope ?y/?x, for this graph the slope
  meters/seconds.
• The units tell us that the slope of a
  position-time graph represents speed or velocity.
  

6
Position-Time graphs

• A positive slope indicates an object moving with
  what is considered to be a positive velocity.
• A steeper slope indicates an object moving with
  more velocity.

7
Position-Time graphs

• A negative slope indicates an object moving with
  what is considered to be a negative velocity.
• Remember that in physics, positive and negative
  merely indicate direction!

8
Position-Time graphs

• A flat slope indicates an object that isnt
  moving (v 0 m/s).

9
Position-Time graphs

• On the following graph, what color car(s) has
• Positive velocity?
• Negative velocity?
• No velocity?
• The fastest speed?

10
Position - Time Graph
11
Position-Time graphs

• On the graph
• Positive velocity purple blue.
• Negative velocity yellow.
• No velocity turquoise
• Fastest speed yellow

12
Toy Car Activity