The Meaning of Shape for a v-t Graph Our study of 1-dimensional kinematics has been concerned with the multiple means by which the motion of objects can be represented. Such means include the use of words, the use of diagrams, the use of numbers, the use of equations, and the use of graphs. Lesson 4…
The slope equation says that the slope of a line is found by determining the amount of rise of the line between any two points divided by the amount of run of the line between the same two points. In other words, · Pick two points on the line and determine their coordinates. · Determine the difference…
It was learned earlier in Lesson 3 that the slope of the line on a position versus time graph is equal to the velocity of the object. If the object is moving with a velocity of +4 m/s, then the slope of the line will be +4 m/s. If the object is moving with a velocity of…
As discussed in the previous part of Lesson 3, the slope of a position vs. time graph reveals pertinent information about an object’s velocity. For example, a small slope means a small velocity; a negative slope means a negative velocity; a constant slope (straight line) means a constant velocity; a changing slope (curved line) means a changing…
As a final application of this principle of slope, consider the two graphs below. Both graphs show plotted points forming a curved line. Curved lines have changing slope; they may start with a very small slope and begin curving sharply (either upwards or downwards) towards a large slope. In either case, the curved line of…
The shapes of the position versus time graphs for these two basic types of motion – constant velocity motion and accelerated motion (i.e., changing velocity) – reveal an important principle. The principle is that the slope of the line on a position-time graph reveals useful information about the velocity of the object. It is often…
The Meaning of Shape for a p-t Graph Our study of 1-dimensional kinematics has been concerned with the multiple means by which the motion of objects can be represented. Such means include the use of words, the use of diagrams, the use of numbers, the use of equations, and the use of graphs. Lesson 3…
Vector diagrams are diagrams that depict the direction and relative magnitude of a vector quantity by a vector arrow. Vector diagrams can be used to describe the velocity of a moving object during its motion. For example, a vector diagram could be used to represent the motion of a car moving down the road. In a…
A common way of analyzing the motion of objects in physics labs is to perform a ticker tape analysis. A longtape is attached to a moving object and threaded through a device that places a tick upon the tape at regular intervals of time – say every 0.10 second. As the object moves, it drags the tape through the “ticker,”…
Introduction to Diagrams Throughout The Physics Classroom Tutorial, there is a persistent appeal to your ability to represent physical concepts in a visual manner. You will quickly notice that this effort to provide visual representation of physical concepts permeates much of the discussion in The Physics Classroom Tutorial. The world that we study in physics…