Motion Plots Summary - Kinematics

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Explain why the acceleration is greatest between A and B and zero between C and D.

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A - B, B - C, C - D

Video Instruction

showmethephysics.com

Ranking Task

Rank the acceleration from greatest to least. Ties are possible. Explain.

0-3 ___ 3-6 ___ 6-8 ___ 8-9 ___

Describe the Acceleration Below

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Review

Describe the motion

Slope: = d/t
= vel.

velocity is constant +

3. a = 0 (vel. not changing)

Ex) d (cm)

1. y changes: ? 2. Slope: ?

↓

1. Y changes: d constant

2. Slope: d/t = v

v = 0

Ex)

1. y changes: ? 2. Slope: ?

↓

1. Y changes: d inc. 2. Slope: d/t = v

V is increasing

3. Constant accel. (smooth increase of v)

Ex)

1. y changes: ? 2. Slope: ?

↓

1. Y changes: d inc. 2. Slope: d/t = v

V is increasing

3. Not Constant acceleration

Ex)

1. y changes: ? 2. Slope: ?

↓

1. y changes: increasing v

2. Slope: v/t = a

acceleration is constant +

Ex)

1. y changes: ? 2. Slope: ?

↓

1. y changes: decreasing v

2. Slope: v/t = a

acceleration is constant and neg.

Extras

Try this great Kinematics Games Here

V vs t not zero

Optical Illusion

Check Your Understanding

5 quick questions — pick an answer to see if you’re right.

1. A displacement vs. time graph is a flat horizontal line. What are the velocity and acceleration?

2. A displacement vs. time graph is a straight line sloping upward. Which is true?

3. A displacement vs. time graph curves upward smoothly, getting steeper. What is the acceleration?

4. A velocity vs. time graph is a straight line sloping downward toward zero. What is happening?

5. A velocity vs. time line goes straight from 0 m/s at 0 s to 12 m/s at 3 s. What is the acceleration?

NYSSLS Regents Practice · Kinematics · Connecting Representations

A Ball Rolled Up a Ramp

Students used a motion sensor to study a ball that was given a push up a straight ramp. The ball rolled up, stopped momentarily, and rolled back down. Up the ramp is positive. The ball’s initial velocity was +3.0 m/s, and it reached its highest point after 1.5 s. Friction is negligible.

Which graph best represents the ball’s velocity versus time from the push until it returned to the bottom?

▶ Want a challenge? Open 6 more Regents-style questions (harder · mixed formats)

Challenge score: 0 / 6

Multiple choice

C1. What is the ball’s acceleration at the instant it is momentarily at rest at the top?

Select all that apply

C2. Place a check mark in two boxes to indicate the quantities that are equal to zero at the instant the ball is at its highest point.

Acceleration of the ball Velocity of the ball Slope of the velocity–time graph Net force on the ball Slope of the position–time graph Distance from the bottom of the ramp

Substitute values

C3. Substitute numerical values into a mathematical representation that can be used to determine how far up the ramp the ball traveled before stopping. Then calculate the distance.

d = 12( m/s)( s) = m

Multiple choice

C4. Which graph best represents the ball’s position (distance up the ramp) versus time?

Support or Refute · Justify

C5. A student makes the following claim.

Claim: The ball returns to the bottom of the ramp 3.0 s after the push, moving at 3.0 m/s down the ramp.

Place a check mark in either the Support or Refute box. Justify your response using a mathematical relationship.

Support Refute

Constructed response

C6. The students tilt the ramp more steeply and give the ball the same +3.0 m/s push. Predict how the time to reach the highest point and the distance traveled up the ramp will change, and explain your reasoning.

Equations →