1.2 Motion

Motion Graphs Lab

Animate a car moving along a track with constant or changing speed. Visualize and plot displacement-time (s-t), velocity-time (v-t), and acceleration-time (a-t) graphs in real time.

Virtual Viewport
Time: 0.0s
s = 0.0m
Position (s)
0.00 m
Velocity (v)
4.00 m/s
Acceleration (a)
1.50 m/s²

Active Sliders

s₀Initial Position0m
-3030

Starting point of the vehicle on the track.

uInitial Velocity4m/s
-1010

Starting speed and direction.

aAcceleration1.50m/s²
-44

Rate at which velocity changes.

Syllabus Objectives

  • Define displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration
  • Plot and interpret motion graphs
  • Calculate velocity from s-t graph slope and acceleration from v-t graph slope.

Mathematical Equations

Displacement Equation
s(t) = s0 + u t + 12 a t²
Velocity Equation
v(t) = u + a t

Inquiry Guide Sheet

1

Set acceleration to 0. Notice the shape of s-t graph (straight line) and v-t graph (flat line).

2

Set a positive acceleration. Observe how the displacement graph curves upwards.

3

Calculate the area under the v-t graph and verify that it equals total displacement.