Positive Velocity and Positive Acceleration

Observe that the object below moves in the positive direction with a changing velocity. An object which moves in the positive direction has a positive velocity. If the object is speeding up, then its acceleration vector is directed in the same direction as its motion (in this case, a positive acceleration). The dot diagram shows that each consecutive dot is not the same distance apart (i.e., a changing velocity). The position-time graph shows that the slope is changing (meaning a changing velocity) and positive (meaning a positive velocity). The velocity-time graph shows a line with a positive (upward) slope (meaning that there is a positive acceleration); the line is located in the positive region of the graph (corresponding to a positive velocity). The acceleration-time graph shows a horizontal line in the positive region of the graph (meaning a positive acceleration).

Anim'n of Pos. Velocity and Pos. Accel'n


For more information on physical descriptions of motion, visit The Physics Classroom Tutorial. Specific information is available there on the following topics:

Ticker Tape Diagrams

Meaning of Acceleration

Position-Time Graphs

Velocity-Time Graphs
 

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