Kinematics

Essay by Royal_BluntzHigh School, 11th gradeA, April 2004

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There are three motion graphs that describe the movements of an object as a function of time. These graphs are the displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs. Three types of graphs can be used to determine the motion of an object; a curved line graph, horizontal line graph, and a diagonal line graph.

In a displacement-time graph, a smooth curved line means that the object has a non-uniform velocity and a uniform acceleration. A horizontal line graph indicates that the object is at rest in one position. A diagonal line on a displacement-time graph suggests that the object has a uniform velocity and no acceleration. A displacement-time graph helps to determine a velocity-time graph by the slope of the tangents. This data can later be used to determine an acceleration-time graph.

In a velocity-time graph, a horizontal line means that the object has no acceleration and a diagonal line indicates that the object is accelerating uniformly.

The points on a velocity-time graph are determined from a displacement-time graph and can be used to determine an acceleration-time graph by using the slope of the line of best fit. Using a velocity-time graph, the displacement can also be found by determining the area under the line of best fit.

In an acceleration-time graph, a horizontal line above the x-axis, zero, shows that the object has a positive uniform acceleration. If the horizontal line is below the x-axis, the object has a negative uniform acceleration. If the horizontal line is at zero then the object has no acceleration, which means that it either has a constant velocity or the object is at rest. If the line of best fit on an acceleration time graph is not horizontal, then the acceleration is non-uniform. As mentioned earlier, acceleration-time graphs are determined...