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Reading Kinematics Graphs - Mini Physics - Free Physics Notes

The document provides an overview of reading kinematics graphs, including distance-time, displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs. It explains how to interpret these graphs in terms of speed, velocity, and acceleration, along with examples for better understanding. Additionally, it emphasizes the relationships between different types of kinematics graphs.

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27 views1 page

Reading Kinematics Graphs - Mini Physics - Free Physics Notes

The document provides an overview of reading kinematics graphs, including distance-time, displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs. It explains how to interpret these graphs in terms of speed, velocity, and acceleration, along with examples for better understanding. Additionally, it emphasizes the relationships between different types of kinematics graphs.

Uploaded by

garvasawa
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Mini Physics O Lvl A Lvl Chem. Misc Acc.

Home » O Level » Speed, Velocity & Acceleration » Reading Kinematics Graphs


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Reading Kinematics Graphs


Show/Hide Sub-topics (Speed, Velocity & Acceleration | O Level Physics)

Show/Hide Sub-topics (Kinematics | A Level Physics)

Table of Contents
Distance-Time Graphs
Displacement-Time Graphs
Velocity-Time Graphs
Acceleration-Time Graphs
Summary of Kinematics Graphs
Worked Examples
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Example 4
Example 5
Example 6

Distance-Time Graphs

For a distance-time graph, the distance never decreases.


When the object is stationary, the distance-time graph will be horizontal.
The gradient of a distance-time graph is the instantaneous speed of the object.
For straight line with positive gradient, it means that the object is travelling at uniform speed
There is no straight line with negative gradient (as the distance never decreases)
For curves, it means that the object is travelling at non-uniform speed

Displacement-Time Graphs
The details are similar as distance-time graphs, except that the distance is now displacement,
and speed is now velocity.
The gradient of a distance-time graph is the instantaneous velocity of the object.
One minor difference: There is a straight line with negative gradient, it means that the object is
travelling at uniform velocity in the opposite direction.

Velocity-Time Graphs

When the object is stationary, it is a straight horizontal line at 0.


When the object is undergoing uniform motion, it is a straight horizontal line at m s , where v
is the velocity of the object.
The gradient of a velocity-time graph of an object gives the acceleration of the object.
For straight line with positive gradient, it means that the object is accelerating.
For straight line with negative gradient, it means that the object is decelerating.
For curves, it means that the acceleration of the object is changing.
The area under the graph is the change in the displacement of the object.

Acceleration-Time Graphs
Area under graph is the change in the velocity of the object

· · ·

Summary of Kinematics Graphs


The gure below shows the displacement-time graph, velocity-time graph and acceleration-time graph
for the respective state of motion. It serves as a summary of the text above.

The gure below shows the relationship between displacement-time graph, velocity-time graph and
acceleration-time graph.

· · ·

Worked Examples
Example 1
Can you tell from a displacement-time graph whether an object is stationary?

Click here to show/hide answer

Example 2
How can you obtain the average velocity and instantaneous velocity from a displacement-time graph.

Click here to show/hide answer

Example 3
Can you tell from a velocity-time graph whether an object is stationary?

Click here to show/hide answer

Example 4
How would you obtain the acceleration of an object from a velocity-time graph? What does the area
under a velocity-time graph represent?

Click here to show/hide answer

Example 5
Can you tell from an acceleration-time graph whether an object is stationary?

Click here to show/hide answer

Example 6
The acceleration-time graph of an object moving in a straight line is as shown. The object started its
motion from rest.

At which point is the body moving with the largest speed?

Click here to show/hide answer

Back To Kinematics (O Level Physics)

Back To O Level Physics Topic List

Back To Kinematics (A Level Physics)

Back To A Level Physics Topic List

 Speed, Velocity & Acceleration, A Level, Kinematics (A Level), O Level


 A Level, Advanced Placement, American High School Diploma, O Level, Physics

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