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Home Concept Builders 1D Kinematics Velocity-Time Graphs Help Help 10

Velocity-Time Graphs - Questions 10 Help

The shape of a velocity-time graph reveals much information about the motion of an object. Whether the line is horizontal or sloped and where the line is located reveals information about the manner in which the object is moving. Learn more in the How to Think About This Situation section.

There are three similar versions of this question. Each includes four velocity-time graphs and an object that is moving in the + direction and slowing down.
 

Version 1:

The velocity-time graphs represent the motion of four different objects. Identify any object that is moving in the + direction and slowing down. Tap on all that apply.
 

There are four velocity-time graphs. You must choose any which is /are representative of an object that is moving in the + direction and also speeding up. The way to think about these graphs is described below.

Velocity-Time Graphs: A sloped line (whether straight or curved) is an indication of a changing velocity motion. A line in the + region of the v-t graph is an indication that the object is moving in the positive (rightward) direction. And a line in the - region of the v-t graph is an indication that the object is moving in the negative (leftward) direction. Lines that are heading away from the time axis represent speeding up motions. And lines that are approaching the time axis represent slowing down motions.

Don't Be Confused: The term "slowing down" can be confusing for many students. It is the "down" part of slowing down that leads to confusion. It is one reason than we combine the term with the equivalent expression "getting slower". To be slowing down means that the speed is decreasing towards smaller values - closer to 0 m/s. The confusion becomes a problem when students get pre-occupied with "down"; they then tend to pick lines that are sloping downwards. But don't be confused! Getting slower or decreasing speed means that the lines will be heading towards the time axis, either from far above it or from far below it.

This Too Can Be Confusing: All the graphs in this Concept Builder are velocity-time graphs. But many students have also studied position-time graphs. These two graph types have different rules and you will have to keep them straight in your head. For a position-time graph, a slowing down motion is described by a line that curves and becomes flatter over the course of time. You will see one of those lines as an option. But don't be fooled! The rule for slowing down (and for moving in the + direction) is different for velocity-time graphs. You can read the rule in the Velocity-Time Graphs section above.

The following pages from The Physics Classroom Tutorial may provide additional background information and help with the topics in this Concept Builder:

Meaning of Shape for a v-t Graph

Meaning of Slope for a v-t Graph

Relating the Shape to the Motion for a v-t Graph

Concept Builder Teacher Notes Directions