II. Motion Diagrams - plots of motion data

A. Displacement vs. Time Plot

(d) Displacement

(distance from start) meters

To understand the motion that produced this plot we must look at the slope

Slope = ∆y/∆x

= ∆d/∆t

= Velocity

2 types of motion
shown in this plot

1. Constant Positive Velocity

2. Constant Negative Velocity

Calculating Velocity

V = ∆d/∆t

= (10. m - 5.0 m)/(4.0 s - 2.0 s)

= +2.5 m/s

Slope of a d vs. t graph tells you about object's
velocity

A to B?

Constant velocity

B to C?

Increasing Velocity,
then Decreasing Velocity

Rest

V = 0

D to E ?

Increasing Velocity