Lesson 8.6 Velocity - Time Graphs

• Science
• 10th Grade

Lesson 8.6

Velocity - Time Graphs

(Graphing Acceleration)

      A velocity vs time graph is a type of graph that compares how velocity changes over a period of time. This type of graph can be used to understand both the velocity of an object, the direction it is moving, its acceleration and the displacement of the object. Time is plotted along the horizontal axis of the graph and the velocity is plotted along the vertical axis of the graph. The slope is the steepness of a line and represents acceleration.

Page 13 - Answers

What does the slope in a Velocity-Time graph represent?  Acceleration

Describe the line that represents the following:

2. Object has stopped:  Straight horizontal line ON the x axis

3. Object is slowing down: Diagonal towards x axis 

4. Object is gradually speeding up:  Diagonal away from y axis

5. Object is quickly speeding up: Steeper Diagonal towards y axis

6. Look at the line labeled “Steady Speed”- Would the object be experiencing any acceleration?  NO.  

7. Explain your answer to #6.   The object IS moving but NOT accelerating 

Label the following in the graph above:

-Zero acceleration

-Positive acceleration (2)

-Rapid Positive acceleration

-Negative acceleration

Label the following in the graph above:

-Zero acceleration

-Positive acceleration (2)

-Rapid Positive acceleration

-Negative acceleration

zero acceleration

rapid and positive acceleration

positive acceleration

negative acceleration

positive acceleration

accelerating - decelerating - constant speed - at rest

Part 1: Look at the Speed-Time graph below and determine what is

happening to an object in each segment.   

1.  Segment O-A    positive acceleration   

2. Segment A-B     no acceleration -                                                                                                                                                                         constant speed  

3. Segment B-C     negative acceleration

4. Segment C-D     not moving 

5. Segment D-E    positive acceleration

6. Segment E-F    no acceleration /                                                                                                                                                                         constant speed

Pg 15 

left side

Page 15 - Part 2

What is the acceleration

1.  of the object between points A-B?

 

2.  of the object between points B-C?

3.of the object between points C-D?

4.  of the object between points D-E?    

C

B

A

4.                                     

5.