Motion Graphs

• Distance-Time Graphs


  • Show how far an object travels as time progresses
  • Time is always placed on the horizontal x axis
  • Flat lines indicate motion has stopped
  • Steep sloped lines indicate faster movement than lesser sloped lines
  • Slope is better referred to as the GRADIENT
  • Gradient on a distance-time graph = the average speed of the object over a time interval
• Speed-Time Graphs


  • Show how an object's speed changes over time
  • An object's speed may be constant - shown by a flat line
  • Increase - accelerate - shown by rising line
  • Decrease - decelerate - shown by falling line
  • The slope (gradient) shows the acceleration
  • Steeper gradient = greater acceleration
  • Negative slope = deceleration
• Distance Time Graphs: Time is always placed on the horizontal x axis
• Distance Time Graph: Flat lines indicate motion has stopped
• Distance time graph: Steep sloped lines indicate faster movement than lesser sloped lines
• Distance Time Graph: Slope is better referred to as the GRADIENT
• The Gradient On A Distance Time Graph= the average speed of the object over a time interval
• Speed Time Graph: Be constant – shown by a flat line
• Speed Time Graph: Increase – accelerate – shown by rising line
• Speed Time Graph: Decrease – decelerate – shown by falling line
• Speed Time Graph: The slope (gradient) shows the acceleration.
• Speed Time Graph: Steeper gradient = greater acceleration
• Speed Time Graph: Negative slope = deceleration