Chapter 2

Transparency
9
Forces And Motion

Motion Graphs (II)

Velocity-Time Graph Interpretation

Velocity Direction of motion
Acceleration
= Gradient
y
=—x
y The rate of change of velocity is uniform.
Uniform acceleration is represented by the
x gradient of the graph.
Time
Velocity The rate of change of velocity is increasing
since the gradient of the graph is increasing.
Area under graph This means that the acceleration of the
= Displacement object is increasing.
Note: The area under the graph represents
Time the displacement travelled.

Velocity Velocity Graph A: Positive lower uniform

acceleration
Graph B: Positive higher uniform
acceleration
A Time B Time (Objects are moving towards the right.)
Velocity Velocity Graph C: Negative lower uniform
acceleration
Graph D: Negative higher uniform
acceleration
C Time D Time (Objects are moving towards the left.)

Example
From the velocity-time graph, acceleration
= gradient of graph Velocity (m s−1 )
= 100 – 50 m s−1
4–0 100
= 12.5 m s−2
The displacement travelled 50
= Area under the graph (area of trapezium)
1 0 2 4
= 2 (50 + 100)(4) m Time (s)
= 300 m

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