HW 2.3– INTERPRETING GRAPHS
Name: __________________________
Date: ____________
Plots 1-8 below show thick lines representing a person's displacement (y-axis) versus time (x-axis) while
holding a motion detector and facing a wall. Describe how you would have to move in order to match
the lines. Details to include are: would you move toward or away from the wall? Quickly or slowly?
Would the direction or speed change during the time? Would you accelerate or keep a steady speed?
The bottom of the graph is at 0 m. Write in complete sentences.
displacement vs. time
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Descriptions
Plots 9-16 below show thick lines representing a person's velocity (y-axis) versus time (x-axis) while
holding a motion detector and facing a wall. Describe how you would have to move in order to match the lines.
Details to include are: would you move toward or away from the wall? Quickly or slowly? Would the direction
or speed change during the time? Would you accelerate or keep a steady speed? The x-axis is at 0 m/s. Write in
complete sentences.
velocity vs. time
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
Descriptions
HW 2.3– INTERPRETING GRAPHS
Name: __________________________
Date: ____________
Find the best matches among the displacement vs. time plots in the left column, the velocity plots (middle
column) and acceleration plots (right column). E.g. Which velocity vs. time plot best matches the displacement
vs. time plot shown in A? Which acceleration vs. time plot best matches that velocity vs. time plot? Record the
series in the blanks at the side of the page. For example, if A (displacement) best matched with J (velocity) and S
(acceleration), the series would be A-J-S. Each velocity plot may only be used once, but acceleration plots may
be used more than once or not at all.
Displacement vs. Time
Velocity vs. Time
Matches
Acceleration vs Time
A
J
S
A-
B
K
T
B-
C
L
U
C-
D
M
V
D-
E
N
W
E-
F
O
X
F-
G
P
Y
G-
H
Q
H-
I
R
I-