Graphical Representation on Motion

Velocity vs. Time

V = V0, no acceleration
The line is parallel to the time axis

𝚫𝑽 𝑽𝒇 −𝑽𝒊
Since a = = =0
𝚫𝒕 𝒕𝒇 − 𝒕𝒊

Acceleration is zero because velocity is NOT changing as time progresses.

Every second, the object is displaced evenly, and the overall displacement is V0t
The area under the graph of V vs. t equals the displacement of the moving object.
Area of Rectangle = V0t
 Graphical Representation on Motion
Velocity vs. Time

V = V0 + at

The line is NOT parallel to

the time axis

𝚫𝑽 𝑽𝒇 −𝑽𝒊
Since a = =
𝚫𝒕 𝒕𝒇 − 𝒕𝒊

Acceleration is not zero because velocity changes as time progresses.

Acceleration is constant because slope does not change.
The area under the graph of V vs. t equals the displacement of the moving object.
Area of Rectangle + Area of Triangle = V0t + ½ (at)t = V0t + ½ at2
 Practice 1: Reading the graph
Velocity vs. Time
2.5
2
1.5

Velocity (m/s)
1
0.5
0
0 5 10 15 20
-0.5
-1
-1.5
Time (s)

a. What is the acceleration during [2;4]s? b. What is the acceleration during [5;7]s?

c. What is the acceleration during [10;12]s? d. What is the acceleration during [12;16]s?

e. What is the displacement during [2;4]s? f. What is the displacement during [5;7]s?

g. What is the displacement during [8;14]s? h. What is the displacement during [7;8]s?

(a)0m/s2; (b)-1m/s2; (c)0m/s2; (d)0.5m/s2; (e)4m; (f)2m ; (g)-4m; (h)0m

 Graphical Representation on Motion
Position vs. Time

X(t) = X0 + V0t + ½ at2

Since a = 0

X(t) = X0 + V0t

The straight line indicates constant velocity; every 10 seconds

the object is displaced 20 meters
The slope of the line is the value of this velocity
0−(−20) 40 −0
VAB = VBC ; = = 2𝑚/𝑠
10−0 30 −10
Velocity: Average vs Instantaneous
∆𝑿 ∆𝒙
𝑽 𝒕 𝟏 ; 𝒕𝟐 = 𝑽(t) =
∆𝒕 ∆𝒕
X, m When time interval is Insignificant
When time interval is Significant
beginning and end are resolved beginning and end are so close
that cannot be resolved

∆𝑿

A
∆𝒕
𝒕𝟏 𝒕𝟐 t, s
Substantial time period
How to calculate Instantaneous Velocity
Instantaneous velocity – Slope of a tangent line
(instant change, so quick that you cannot resolve time into interval;
not as an average velocity where a time period is well defined)
X, m

xb b

xa a
𝒙𝒃− 𝒙𝒂
Slope =
𝒕𝒃− 𝒕𝒂
C

ta tb t, s
 Graphical Representation on Motion
Position vs. Time

Velocity is not constant because the tangent line is changing with time.
AB – velocity is positive, and acceleration is …..
BC – velocity is negative, and acceleration is …..
Graphical Representation on Motion
Position vs. Time
X(t) = X0 + V0t + ½ at2
Parabola
“-” acceleration: “curves” down
“+” acceleration: “curves” up
 Practice 2: Understanding the graph

V(m/s) [0s; 1s] moves to the right without acceleration

[1s; 2s] slows down till stop @2s
[2s; 3s] motor reverses and acceleration starts
[3s; 4s] maintains constant speed while moving
to the left

1. V(1) = …; V(2) = …; V(3) = …; V(4) = …;

2. ∆X0-1 = ….; ∆X1-2 = ….; ∆X2-3 = ….; ∆X3-4 = ….;

3. a0-1 = …; a1-2 = …; a2-3 = …; a3-4 = …;

∆X0-1 = 5 m; ∆X1-2 = 2.5 m; ∆X2-3 = -1 m; ∆X3-4 = -2m;

a0-1 = 0 m/s2; a1-2 = -5 m/s2; a2-3 = -2 m/s2; a3-4 = 0 m/s2;

 Problem 1: The graph below shows the position of an object with time.
Find the distance the car covered during time interval [5;25]s.
Find the displacement of the car during time interval [5;25]s.
Find the average speed of the car during time interval [5;25]s.
Find the average velocity of the car during time interval [5;25]s.

d = 𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛 + 𝑥𝑓 − 𝑥𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑛
Position vs. Time
40
𝒙𝒊 = x(5) = 28m Δx =
35

30
𝒙𝒇 = x(25) = 15m V=
25
Position (m)

20
𝒙𝒕𝒖𝒓𝒏 = 36m speed =
15

10

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time (sec)
Problem 2: The graph below shows the position of an object with time.
Find the instantaneous velocity of the object at 5s.

Position vs. Time Step1: Draw a tangent line

40

35
Step 2: Choose 2 points on tang. line

30
Step 3: Define points such as
25
Position (m)

(5s; 28m) and (14s; 37m)

20

15 Step 4: Calculate slope of

10
the tangent line as rise over run
5

or
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35
Time (sec)

𝟑𝟕 − 𝟐𝟖 𝟗
= = 𝟏𝒎/𝒔
𝟏𝟒 − 𝟓 𝟗
Check Point:
Consider a situation, where a speeding car passing a
street sign is registered by a radar of a stationary police
car ahead of a street sign. As the speeding car
continues, the police car starts engine and accelerates
to catch up with the speeder and pull it over.

1. What line, A or B, represents a speeder?

2. How far was police car from speeder when

a radar was used?

3. At what times do they have the same position?

4. At what time does car A pass car B?

5. At what time does car B pass car A?

6. At what time do they have the same velocity?

7. Which car is ahead it that moment?

 Accelerated Motion
Uniform Motion
(constant acceleration)
X(t)
V(t)
a(t)

13