Kinematic Graphing - Mission KG3 Detailed Help


The motions of five objects - A, B, C, D, and E - are represented by lines on a position-time graph. Write the letter(s) for any object that is accelerating. List all that apply ... .


 
Position-Time Graphs:
Position versus time graphs represent changes that occur in an object's position with respect to time. The slope of the line is the velocity (change in position divided by the change in time) of the object.


 
The slope of the line on a position-time graph reveals information about an object's velocity. The slope is the velocity; so "as the slope goes, so goes the velocity." If the slope is 0 (as for a horizontal line), then the velocity is 0. If the slope is large, then the velocity is large. If the slope is small, then the velocity is small. If the slope is constant (as for a straight line), then the velocity is constant. If the slope is changing (as for a curved line), then the velocity is changing. If the slope is positive (sloping upward), then the velocity is positive. If the slope is negative (sloping downward), then the velocity is negative. As the slope goes, so goes the velocity.


 
Accelerating objects are changing their velocity. You are looking for the line(s) on the graph that represents a changing of the velocity. Refer to the Think About It section.