1. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between distance & time intersection points are same; graph represents object moving at CONSTANT VELOCITY; NO ACCELERATION
a = 0
SLOPE of a distance/time graph represents the VELOCITY of the object
greater slope = greater velocity
SIGN of slope on a distance/time graph indicates DIRECTION of object’s travel
POSITIVE (+) slope above x-axis indicates travel AWAY from origin
position (m)
time (s)

2. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between distance & time intersection points are same; graph represents object moving at CONSTANT VELOCITY; NO ACCELERATION
a = 0
SLOPE of a distance/time graph represents the VELOCITY of the object
greater slope = greater velocity
SIGN of slope on a distance/time graph indicates DIRECTION of object’s travel
NEGATIVE (-) slope above x-axis indicates travel TOWARDS origin
position (m)
time (s)

3. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
If graph has a SLOPE of ZERO; object has a VELOCITY and ACCELERATION of ZERO and is at rest in the same position.
NO MOTION
slope = 0
Vav = 0
a = 0
position (m)
time (s)

4. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between distance & time intersection points are increasing; graph represents object with INCREASING VELOCITY.
VELOCITY NOT CONSTANT
Object has POSITIVE (+) ACCELERATION
a = DV
D t
Average velocity (vav) is the slope of the line between any two points on the position-time graph.
Instantaneous velocity (vinst) is the slope of the tangent line through one point on the position-time graph.
position (m)
time (s)

5. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between distance & time intersection points are increasing; graph represents object with INCREASING VELOCITY.
VELOCITY NOT CONSTANT
Object has NEGATIVE (-) ACCELERATION due to direction
a = DV
D t
Average velocity (vav) is the slope of the line between any two points on the position-time graph.
Instantaneous velocity (vinst) is the slope of the tangent line through one point on the position-time graph.
position (m)
time (s)

6. Motion Graphing Position vs. Time Graphs
Graph of a VERTICAL line is UNDEFINED
Slope of line DOES NOT equal zero.
Object cannot be doing TWO things at SAME time.
position (m)
time (s)

7. Motion Graphing Velocity vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between velocity & time intersection points are same; graph represents object moving with INCREASING VELOCITY; CONSTANT ACCELERATION
a = DV
D t
SLOPE of a velocity/time graph represents the ACCELERATION of the object
greater slope = greater acceleration
SIGN of slope on a velocity/time graph indicates change in velocity
POSITIVE (+) slope indicates object increasing speed
Positive slope below x-axis indicates object decreasing speed
There is NO RELATIONSHIP between object and ORIGIN shown on graph.
velocity (m/s)
time (s)

8. Motion Graphing Velocity vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between velocity & time intersection points are same; graph represents object moving with DECREASING VELOCITY; CONSTANT NEGATIVE ACCELERATION
a = -DV
D t
SLOPE of a velocity/time graph represents the ACCELERATION of the object
greater slope = greater acceleration
SIGN of slope on a velocity/time graph indicates change in velocity
NEGATIVE (-) slope indicates object decreasing velocity
Negative slope below x-axis indicates object increasing velocity
velocity (m/s)
time (s)

9. Motion Graphing *Velocity vs. Time Graphs
If graph has a SLOPE of ZERO; object has a CONSTANT VELOCITY and ACCELERATION of ZERO.
MOTION at a constant velocity
slope = 0
Vav = constant
a = 0
velocity (m/s)
time (s)

10. Motion Graphing Velocity vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between velocity & time intersection points are increasing; graph represents object with increasing ACCELERATION.
Object has POSITIVE (+) ACCELERATION
a = DV
D t
Average acceleration (aav) is the slope of the line any two points on the velocity-time graph.
Instantaneous acceleration (ainst) is the slope of the tangent line through one point on the velocity-time graph.
velocity (m/s)
time (s)

11. Motion Graphing Velocity vs. Time Graphs
If intervals between velocity & time intersection points are increasing; graph represents object with decreasing ACCELERATION.
Object has NEGATIVE (-) ACCELERATION
-a = DV
D t
Average velocity (vav) is the slope of the line between any two points on the position-time graph.
Instantaneous velocity (vinst) is the slope of the tangent line through one point on the position-time graph.
velocity (m/s)
time (s)