2. Mar 1 / Act E 75
Interpreting Motion Graphs
LEARNING TARGET: I can identify which segments of a motion graph correspond to specific descriptions of travel by analyzing the distance and time information provided.
CH Q
How can you use a graph to describe motion?
VOCAB:
Acceleration Deceleration Slope

3. Acceleration Deceleration Slope a change in speed or direction
a slowing of speed (which is also “negative acceleration”)
comparison between distance and time on a graph

4. DISCUSSION
When you measured the speed of the cart rolling down the track, do you think the cart was going the same speed the whole time?
no, it took a while for the cart to accelerate (get up to fastest speed), and then it slowed to a stop.

5. distance is NOT changing as time passes (not moving)
Take a Look!
- What do you notice about the axis on this graph?
Y-axis is distance
X-axis is time
distance is NOT changing as time passes (not moving)

6. How does slope on a graph describe movement?
sketch graphs
moving away
positive slope =
moving
toward
negative slope =

7. What do the changes in the graphs’ slopes on a distance vs time graph mean?
Positive slope
Negative slope
Moving
toward
Moving away
zero slope
stopped

8. PROCEDURE AND DATA
MATERIALS:
PROCEDURE: Read on pg. E 13 and summarize
DATA: WS Graphs -Trips to School

9. B E G A H

10. C F D

11. no, speed changes are too sudden
Teasha Josh
Do the graphs show real-life motion?
no, speed changes are too sudden

12. objects cannot instantly change speeds
POST DISCUSSION
Why would real-life graphs have curves in them?
objects cannot instantly change speeds

13. POST DISCUSSION
Do cars usually change speed instantaneously? Explain.
objects cannot instantly change speeds, they can only change speeds gradually

14. Slope = ___________ _____ change in x ( Δ x)
How do you determine the slope of a line?
change in y ( Δ y)
Slope = ___________ _____
change in x ( Δ x)
“rise” over “run”

15. Circle the graph that shows continually accelerating and explain your reasoning.
Hint: Has to do with slope!

16. ANALYSIS
- Discuss and answer Q 4 & 5 on pg. E 14
ANS CH Q
How can you use a graph to describe motion? A:
distance vs time (slope) graphs
HOMEWORK
None

17. Day 2

18. Mar 1 / Act E 75
Interpreting Motion Graphs
LEARNING TARGET: I can explore how to relate graphs of distances over time and the motions they represent.
CH Q
How can you use your motion to describe a graph?
VOCAB:
Review: Acceleration; Deceleration: Slope

19. PROCEDURE AND DATA
MATERIALS:
PROCEDURE: Read WS 75.3 and summarize
DATA: WS Motion Lab

20. Why do the words “forward” or “backward” not work for this lab?
Prompts for Motion Lab
Why do the words “forward” or “backward” not work for this lab?
What does the word ‘steady’ mean / show on a graph?
Why isn’t the line you create perfectly straight?
What motion makes an uphill slope?
A downhill slope?
How is the steepness related to your motion graph?