Physics
17.1 - Graphing Motion of a wave
Name _____________________
Date ____________ Period _____
KEY IDEAS:
 A distance-time graph is a good way to describe motion.
 On distance-time graphs, the slope is the change in the distance divided by the change in time.
 The slope of a line on a distance-time graph is speed. A straight line indicates constant speed.
Acceleration is represented by a line with a changing slope.
 A steep slope on a distance-time graph indicates a high speed. A horizontal line = stopped.
The data tables below represent a wave traveling at changing speeds.
This activity is just measuring a very small portion of the wave trip (~20
seconds). Equation: v = distance(m) / time(s)
Step 1: On the Constant High Speed Data Table, at distance
Constant High Speed Wave
Time (s)
Distance (m)
Speed (m/s)
100m and with the time being 4s, distance divided by time
0
0
0
(d/t) equals a speed of 25m/s. Look at the distance, time,
2
50
25
and speed values across each row. Notice the relationship
4
100
25
between distance and time and the speed at which the
8
200
25
wave travels. What is the speed of each of these values? All
12
300
25
of the relationships of distance and time equal a speed of
16
400
25
25m/s.
Constant Low Speed Wave
Step 2: As you did in Step 1, notice the relationship of
Time (s)
Distance (m)
Speed (m/s)
0
0
0
4
50
12.5
8
100
12.5
12
150
12.5
16
200
12.5
20
250
12.5
Physics 17.1 graphing motion of a wave 5.2014
distance and time as it relates to the speed of the wave
going at a constant low speed. Notice the small slope of
the line, when graphed. A constant slope indicates a
constant speed, when graphed.
Turn page
Step 3: Create a distance-time graph.
Use the grid provided below to create one graph representing
Constant High Speed Wave
Distance
Speed
Time (s)
(m)
(m/s)
0
0
0
both the constant high and constant low speeds of the wave. When you plot
2
50
25
the graph, be sure you have done the following:
4
100
25
8
200
25
12
300
25
16
400
25
 Label the x-axis (time-s) and y-axis (distance-m). Don’t forget to
include their units!
 Spread the data out proportionately across the majority of the graph.
 Include a title. A good title includes the words from the x and y axis.
Constant Low Speed Wave
Distance
Speed
Time (s)
(m)
(m/s)
0
0
0
 Include a key (dots, dashes can distinguish lines)
4
50
12.5
 Use a straight line to connect points representing a wave with a
8
100
12.5
12
150
12.5
16
200
12.5
20
250
12.5
constant speed. Label constant low speed, constant high speed.
 Draw and label a curved line moving up to the right to indicate an
accelerating wave (increasing in speed with time).
Title:
Key: