Graphs of Motion Lesson # 3

KUI WAMP NGA SECONDARY DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE

UNIT 11. 2: MOTION (KINEMATICS) Grade 11 Physics Handout # 3 Term 2, 2023.
(B) Velocity – Time Graphs
A velocity – time graph provides information about the speed and direction of body during its motin
The motion of a cyclist is shown on the following displacement – time graph

Description of the motion above

A. Moving with constant velocity. There is no acceleration
B. Positive constant acceleration due to increase in velocity.
C. Negative constant acceleration (deceleration) or slowing down.
D. Increasing positive acceleration or steady increase in acceleration.
E. Decreasing acceleration

Interpretation of velocity – time graph.

➢ The steeper the graph, the greater the acceleration.
➢ A horizontal line means the object is moving at a constant speed. There is no acceleration
➢ A downward sloping line means the object is slowing down (deceleration) there is decrease in velocity.

Figure below shows the speed-time graph for a journey of a boy from his house to school. Look at the shape of the
graph and describe types of motion in each stage.

Answer
O left home.
O – A moving with uniform acceleration.
A–B moving with uniform speed or constant
speed
B–C moving with uniform deceleration.
C–D moving with uniform speed (speed lower
than A-B).
D–E moving with non-uniform deceleration
(Decreasing deceleration).
E–F not moving.
F–G moving with non-uniform acceleration
(Increasing acceleration).
G–H moving with uniform deceleration.
H reaches school.

Key points
✓ In speed and velocity time graph, the slope determines the acceleration.
✓ Area under the speed time graph gives the distance and velocity time graphs gives the displacement.
𝒚²−𝒚¹
✓ Gradient is the slopes where; m = 𝒙²−𝒙¹

Somrik LANGAP.Docs@PhyAMx 1|Page

 Graphs of Motion Lesson # 3

Example 1
Determine the following

(a) The acceleration during each interval A – E.

(b) The displacement during each interval A – E
(c) The final position.
(d) The average position.

Solution:
(a) Acceleration at A: Acceleration at B
𝑣₂−𝑣₁ 10−0 10
a= = = = 2.5ms-2 a = 0, since velocity is constant
𝑡₂ −𝑡₁ 4− 0 4

Acceleration at C
𝑣₂−𝑣₁ 2−10 −8
a= = = = - 4 ms-2 or decelerate at 4 ms-2
𝑡₂ −𝑡₁ 10− 8 2

Acceleration at D Acceleration at E
𝑣₂−𝑣₁ 0−2 −2
a= = = = - 0.67 ms-2 a = 0, since velocity is constants
𝑡₂ −𝑡₁ 13−10 3

or decelerate at 0.67 ms-2

(b) Displacement is the area under each section.

Interval A area: Interval B area: Interval C area:
1 1
A= xbxh = x 4 x 10 A = l x w = 10 x 4 Area is a trapezium so use the formula;
2 2
(a+b)h (10+2)2
= 20m = 40m A= = = 12m
2 2

Interval D area: Interval E area.

1 1
A= xbxh = x 3 x 2 = 3m There is no area so displacement is zero (0)
2 2

(c) Final position is the sum of the distance/displacement covered (total distance)
Total area = 20 + 40 + 12 + 3 = 75m

(d) Average velocity

△𝑠 75
vavr = = = 5.36ms-1
△t 14

Note: Area under the time axis is negative displacement

Somrik LANGAP.Docs@PhyAMx 2|Page

 Graphs of Motion Lesson # 3

Types of Displacement or Distance - time graph.

Object is moving at a positive constant velocity over a period of time.

Gradient is zero so there is no acceleration.

Object is moving with a positive constant acceleration. Velocity is

increasing with time.

Object is moving with a constant deceleration (negative acceleration).

Velocity is decreasing as time increasing.

Object is increasing its acceleration in positive direction.

Object is decreasing its acceleration. That is, deceleration or negative

acceleration.

Exercise:
1. Below shows a velocity – time graph for a car accelerating uniformly

Determine the following;

(a) Its acceleration at 1s and 6s.
(b) Maximum velocity.
(c) Distance
(d) Displacement
(e) Average speed.
(f) Average velocity.

Somrik LANGAP.Docs@PhyAMx 3|Page

 Graphs of Motion Lesson # 3
2. The figure below shows Velocity- time graph

Given is a velocity–time graph for a car travelling along a straight road. Find the:
a) acceleration at 1s, 3s and 6s.
b) displacement after 12s. You must know that the acceleration is the gradient of the graph.

3. The diagram below shows the velocity – time graph of a bus.

Find the following;

(a) Acceleration at t = 10s and t = 30s
(b) Velocity at t = 60s
(c) Distance covered in the first 40 seconds
(d) Average velocity for the first 40 seconds
(e) Acceleration at t = 70s.

4. For the following velocity – time graph

(a) Describe what is happening to the object between 0 -5s.

(b) What happens to the object at t = 5s?
(c) What happens to the object after t = 5s?

5. The graph below shows the distance travelled by a car plotted against
time.

a) How far has the car travelled at the end of

5s?
b) What is the speed of the car during the 5s?
c) What happened to the car after A?
d) Draw a graph showing the speed of the car
during the 5s

Somrik LANGAP.Docs@PhyAMx 4|Page