Scribd
Upload
120 views24 pages

Analysis of A Distance (D) Vs Time (T) Graph

This document discusses how to interpret distance vs. time graphs to understand an object's motion. It explains that the slope of the line on the graph represents speed, with a steeper line indicating faster speed. Various types of motion are represented, including constant speed, acceleration, deceleration, stopping, and changing direction. Examples of graphs are provided and labeled to illustrate motion concepts like constant speed, changing speed, and reversing direction.

Uploaded by

Janelyn Garin
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
120 views24 pages

Analysis of A Distance (D) Vs Time (T) Graph

This document discusses how to interpret distance vs. time graphs to understand an object's motion. It explains that the slope of the line on the graph represents speed, with a steeper line indicating faster speed. Various types of motion are represented, including constant speed, acceleration, deceleration, stopping, and changing direction. Examples of graphs are provided and labeled to illustrate motion concepts like constant speed, changing speed, and reversing direction.

Uploaded by

Janelyn Garin
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
You are on page 1/ 24

Distance vs.

Time
Graphs
Analysis of a Distance (d) vs Time (T)
Graph
Motion showed on a
Distance (d) vs. Time (t) Graph
• Where did the object start?
• Which direction did it go?
• Where did the object stop
• Is the motion constant?
• Is the motion changing?
• Can you tell which is faster (if 2 or
more objects are present)
Distance (d) vs. Time (t)
Graph
Describing a journey made by an object is
not exciting if you just use words. As with
much of science, graphs are more
revealing.

Plotting distance against time can tell you


a lot about a journey. Let's look a closer
look:
Distance (d) Vs. Time (t) Graph
• Time always runs horizontally (the x-axis).
• The arrow shows the direction of time. The further to
the right, the longer time from the start.

• Distance runs vertically (the y-axis).


• The higher up the graph we go, the further we are
from the start.
What type of Graph is This? Explain
Why. (Hint: Think of what is on the
axes and how to find slope)

t
• This is a speed graph because it shows a
change in distance over time (s = d/t).
• The slope of the line on the graph will equal
the speed. SLOPE = SPEED (higher slope
= faster speed)

𝑟𝑖𝑠𝑒 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑠𝑙𝑜𝑝𝑒 = = = 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑
𝑟𝑢𝑛 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒
D

t
Interpreting Velocity on a Graph
You can use the slope 𝐷𝑖𝑠𝑝𝑙𝑎𝑐𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡
of a line to find Velocity Velocity= 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑒

15 m
Displacement

More
Displacement
10 m In Less Time
(Faster)

5m
Less
Displacement
In More Time
(Slower)

5s 10 s 15 s
Think of the Velocity graph this way:Time
Which one of these balls will fall faster?
The graph with more steepness is the faster velocity. The less steep, the slower.
• What would a graph showing an object
moving at a constant speed look like? Try
to draw it.

t
Constant speed

t
Now, on the same graph, use a
dashed line to show a second object
with a SLOWER constant speed
2 constant speeds,
one faster, one slower

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that speeds up. What do we call this motion?

Acceleration

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that slows down. What do we call this motion?

Deceleration

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that is going backwards at a constant speed.

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that is going backwards slowing down.

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that is going backwards speeding up.

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that is stopped.

t
Q: What
As a group, should
describe howyou learn
fast the from
objectthis?
is probably
Interpreting
A: Steep lines
moving as you Speed
on motion graphs,
travel on
along mean
the ana
line Graph:
object
(left tois right)
moving
quickly! Non-steep lines
(After you try mean
it together, clickthe object
to see the real is moving slowly!
motion)

Q: HOW CAN YOU TELL?!?!

15 m It can help to think


about the speed of a
rolling ball on the slope
Distance

Now it’s moving fast!


10 m
This ball would roll fast!
This ball would roll slowly…

5m
Started slowly…
Stopped moving!
This ball won’t roll at all!

5s 10 s 15 s
Time
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that travels at a constant speed, then slows
down, then comes to a stop?

t
A speed graph that shows an object that travels
at a constant speed, then slows down,
then comes to a stop?
deceleration
stopped

constant speed

t
Try drawing a speed graph that shows an object
that accelerates, then decelerates, comes to a
stop, then moves backwards at a constant
speed?

t
A speed graph that shows an object that accelerates,
then decelerates, comes to a stop, then
moves backwards at a constant speed?

stops
decelerates backwards at a
constant speed
accelerates

t
Different Motion Graph Examples
Big Ideas
• Slope of a distance vs. time graph represents
speed.
• A flat line on a distance vs. time graph means
you are not moving.

t
Big Ideas
• A negative trend line on a distance vs. time
graph means you are going backwards.

D D D

t t t

You might also like