Motion Graphs (CIE A Level Physics)

• Three types of graph that can represent motion are displacement-time graphs, velocity-time graphs and acceleration-time graphs
• On a displacement-time graph…
  • slope equals velocity
  • the y-intercept equals the initial displacement
  • a straight(diagonal) line represents a constant velocity
  • a curved line represents an acceleration
  • a positive slope represents motion in the positive direction
  • a negative slope represents motion in the negative direction
  • a zero slope (horizontal line) represents a state of rest
  • the area under the curve is meaningless

• On a velocity-time graph…
  • slope equals acceleration
  • the y-intercept equals the initial velocity
  • a straight line represents uniform acceleration
  • a curved line represents non-uniform acceleration
  • a positive slope represents an increase in velocity in the positive direction
  • a negative slope represents an increase in velocity in the negative direction
  • a zero slope (horizontal line) represents motion with constant velocity
  • the area under the curve equals the displacement or distance travelled

• On an acceleration-time graph…
  • slope is meaningless
  • the y-intercept equals the initial acceleration
  • a zero slope (horizontal line) represents an object undergoing constant acceleration
  • the area under the curve equals the change in velocity

How displacement, velocity and acceleration graphs relate to each other