Calculating from motion graphs (a=(v–u)/t and v=s/t)
I can take readings from motion graphs to calculate distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration.
Calculating from motion graphs (a=(v–u)/t and v=s/t)
I can take readings from motion graphs to calculate distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- A displacement–time graph shows how displacement changes with time.
- A velocity–time graph shows how velocity changes with time.
- Displacement–time and velocity–time graphs of the same motion have different shapes.
Common misconception
Pupils often confuse displacement–time graphs with velocity–time graphs.
Emphasise the need for pupils to always read the axes of a graph first, before they start to think about any lines drawn on it.
Keywords
Displacement–time graph - A displacement–time graph shows the displacement of an object over a period of time.
Velocity–time graph - A velocity–time graph shows the velocity of an object over a period of time.
Velocity - The velocity of an object is the rate of change of displacement. This is how fast it is moving in a particular direction.
Acceleration - The acceleration of an object is the rate of change of velocity. This is how much the velocity changes per second.
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
mass -
kilogram (kg)
velocity -
metres per second (m/s)
displacement -
metres (m)
acceleration -
metres per second squared (m/s$$^2$$)
time -
seconds (s)
Exit quiz
6 Questions
displacement-time graph -
this shows the displacement of an object over a period of time
velocity-time graph -
this shows the velocity of an object over a period of time
acceleration -
the rate of change of velocity
velocity -
the rate of change of displacement
