Physics – x vs t, v vs t and a vs t graphs
1. Go to http://physicsclassroom.com.
2. Click “Physics Tutorial” and then “1-D Kinematics”
3. Do all questions with pull-down menus in Lessons 3 and 4. Write your answers below
– please show your work. Check your answers on the computer.
Check Your Understanding
Use the principle of slope to describe the motion of the objects depicted by the two
plots below. In your description, be sure to include such information as the direction
of the velocity vector (i.e., positive or negative), whether there is a constant velocity
or an acceleration, and whether the object is moving slow, fast, from slow to fast or
from fast to slow. Be complete in your description.
Exercise 1
Consider the graph below. Note that the slope is negative not positive; that is, the
line slopes in the downward direction. Note also that the line on the graph does not
pass through the origin. Slope calculations are relatively easy when the line passes
through the origin since one set of points is (0,0). But that is not the case here.
Test your understanding of slope calculations by determining the slope of the line
below. Then depress the mouse on the pop-up menu to check your answer.
Check Your Understanding
1. Determine the velocity (i.e., slope) of the object as portrayed by the graph below.
When you believe you know that value (and not before), check the answer by
clicking on the pop-up menu.
Check Your Understanding
1. Consider the graph at the right. The object whose motion is represented by this
graph is ... (include all that are true):
a. moving in the positive direction.
b. moving with a constant velocity.
c. moving with a negative velocity.
d. slowing down.
e. changing directions.
f. speeding up.
g. moving with a positive acceleration.
h. moving with a constant acceleration.
Check Your Understanding
The velocity-time graph for a two-stage rocket is shown below. Use the graph and
your understanding of slope calculations to determine the acceleration of the rocket
during the listed time intervals. When finished, depress your mouse on the pop-up
menus below to see the answers.
a. t = 0 - 1 second
b. t = 1 - 4 seconds
c. t = 4 - 12 seconds
Check Your Understanding
Describe the motion depicted by the following velocity-time graphs. In your
descriptions, make reference to the direction of motion (positive or negative
direction), the velocity, the acceleration and any changes in speed (speeding up or
slowing down) during the various time intervals (e.g., intervals A, B, and C). When
finished, depress mouse on the pop-up menu to see the answers.
Check Your Understanding
Consider the velocity-time graph below. Determine the acceleration (i.e., slope) of
the object as portrayed by the graph. When you believe you know that value (and
not before), check the answer by clicking on the pop-up menu below.
Now check your understanding by finding the distance traveled by the object in each
of the following cases.
Check your understanding by finding the distance traveled by the object in each of
the following cases.
Now check your understanding by finding the distance traveled by the object in each
of the following cases.