Kinematic Graphing - Mission KG7 Detailed Help


The motion of six objects - A, B, C, D, E, and F - are represented by lines on a velocity-time graph. Write the letter(s) for any object which has a positive velocity (for the entire motion). List all that apply ... .


 
Velocity-Time Graphs:
Velocity versus time graphs represent changes that occur in an object's velocity with respect to time. The slope of the line is the acceleration (change in velocity divided by the change in time) of the object. The area under the line (between the line on the graph and the time axis) is the displacement of the object.


 
It is not unusual for a student to confuse position-time graphs with velocity-time graphs. They know that a positive velocity is represented on a position-time graph as a diagonal line with positive slope. So they instantly begin looking for the same line on this graph. But don't be fooled! This is a velocity-time graph and the slope is the acceleration. A line with positive slope on a velocity-time graph is a line with a positive acceleration.


 
It is not unusual for a student to confuse position-time graphs with velocity-time graphs. They know that a positive velocity is represented on a position-time graph as a diagonal line with positive slope. So they instantly begin looking for the same line on this graph. But don't be fooled! This is a velocity-time graph and the slope is the acceleration. A line with positive slope on a velocity-time graph is a line with a positive acceleration.