Physics Chapter: Position, Velocity, Acceleration

Graph Types

• Three primary graph types: position-time, velocity-time, acceleration-time.

Position-Time Graphs

• Slope represents velocity.
• Horizontal line indicates the object is at rest.
• Straight sloping line shows constant velocity with no acceleration.
• Curved line indicates the presence of acceleration.
• Area under the graph does not represent a specific measurement.

Velocity-Time Graphs

• Slope represents acceleration.
• Horizontal line shows no acceleration, indicating constant velocity or at rest.
• Straight sloping line signifies acceleration, either positive or negative.
• Area under the graph indicates change in position (displacement).

Acceleration-Time Graphs

• Slope represents the rate of change in acceleration.
• Horizontal line indicates constant acceleration.
• Area under the graph represents the change in velocity.

Finding Accelerations and Positions

• To find acceleration from a position-time graph, analyze the shape:
  • "U" shape indicates positive acceleration.
  • "N" shape indicates negative acceleration.
  • Straight sections indicate zero acceleration.
• Displacement from an acceleration-time graph is found by drawing a velocity-time graph and calculating the area under it.

Object Positions and Movements

• Position at the origin is represented by point C, EF.
• Object at rest occurs at points AB, EF on the position-time graph.
• Movement towards the origin is identified at points BC, DE, HI.
• Positive velocity movement occurs at points BD, FH.
• Acceleration presence and type:
  • Curved sections indicate acceleration.
  • U-shaped pieces represent positive acceleration.
  • N-shaped pieces indicate negative acceleration.

Rest and Acceleration Insights

• Object is at rest at points AB (for a long time) and E (for a brief moment) on the velocity-time graph.
• Point E indicates a change in direction or turning around.
• If starting from the origin, negative displacement indicates the object will not return.
• Negative and positive acceleration identified at BC (-) and DF (+).
• Zero acceleration can signify the object is at rest or maintaining constant velocity.

Non-Acceleration Identifications

• No acceleration can be found at point CD on the acceleration-time graph and during straight segments on the position-time graph.