HIGH SCHOOL

General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 Website: www.ubaguio.edu E-mail Address: ub@ubaguio.edu

LECTURE NOTES

Lesson: Graphical Representation of Uniform Motion

Time: 4hours

Pre-requisite Concepts: Galileo’s idea of vertical motion, horizontal motion, and projectile motion

About the Lesson

The lesson focuses on motion graphs which makes it easier to understand the movement of bodies.
Although the quantitative descriptions of motion are accurate, it sometimes fails to give an observer a clear
picture on how motion occurs. And for most individuals, visualizing a concept is better than just reading
about it. That is why motion graphs are needed for easier interpretation.

Objectives

In this lesson, you are expected to:

1. Explain the difference of position vs time and velocity vs time graphs of constant velocity
motion from those of constant acceleration motion.

2. Recognize that the everyday usage and the physics usage of the term “acceleration” differ.

Lesson Proper

Equations are great for describing idealized situations, but they don't always cut it. Sometimes you
need a picture to show what's going on — a mathematical picture called a graph. Graphs are often the best
way to convey descriptions of real-world events in a compact form. Graphs of motion come in several types
depending on which of the kinematic quantities (time, displacement, velocity, acceleration) are assigned to
which axis.

A. Review concepts of speed, velocity and acceleration

SPEED VELOCITY
The distance an object moves The change in an object’s position during time,
DEFINITION in a certain amount of time. which includes speed and the direction the
objects moves.
𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑒
𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 =
FORMULA 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒
with direction
meter/ second or m/s meter/second, direction
SI UNIT or
m/s, direction
EXAMPLE 60 m/s 60m/s, South

ACCELERATION
The change in and object’s velocity during time.
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑣𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 meters/second²
𝑎𝑐𝑐𝑒𝑙𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 =
𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒 𝑖𝑛 𝑡𝑖𝑚𝑒 m/s2
Moving in the positive Increasing velocity Decreasing velocity
direction (speeding up) (slowing down)
(right or upward) -positive acceleration -negative acceleration
- Positive velocity
Moving in the negative Increasing velocity Decreasing velocity
direction (speeding up) (slowing down)
(left or downward) - negative acceleration - positive acceleration
- negative velocity
Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 Website: www.ubaguio.edu E-mail Address: ub@ubaguio.edu

Try This. Determine the acceleration sign for the following situation:
1. A coin thrown upward with a decreasing velocity.
2. A car speeding up to the left.
3. A runner moving toward south slowing down after the finish line.
B. Graphical Representation of Uniform Motion

Figure B-1 shows a jeepney traveling with constant velocity. The corresponding data of its
motion are presented in Tables B-1 and B-2.
v=20 m/s, east

d1=20m d2=40m d3=60m d4=80m

t1=1s t2=2s t3=3s t4=4s
Figure B-1. The motion diagram of a jeepney traveling at a constant velocity of 20m/s, east

Tables B-1 Tables B-1

Position(m) Time(s) Velocity(m/s) Time(s)
20 1 20 1
40 2 20 2
60 3 20 3
80 4 20 4
To analyze the motion of the jeepney, position-time and velocity- time graphs can be used.
The corresponding graphs for the motion of the jeepney are presented in Figure B-2.
Displacement (m)

80
70
Velocity (m/s)

20
60
50 15
40
10
30
20 5
10
0 1 2 3 4
0 1 2 3
4 Time (s)
Time (s) (b)
(a)
Figure B-2. (a) Position-time graph and (b) velocity-time graph of a jeepney traveling at a constant velocity

In figure B-2a where the diagonal line in the graph indicates that the jeepney is in uniform or
constant motion over time. While in figure B-2b, the velocity of the jeepney is constant and not zero
overtime. This implies that the jeepney is in uniform motion, or that there is no change in its velocity
over time.
Guide Question:
1. What is the difference between a position-time and velocity- time graph?

C. Graphical Representation of Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Tables C-1 and C-2 show the data of motion of a car traveling at constant acceleration. The
corresponding motion graphs for these data are shown in Figure C-1.
Table C-1 Table C-2
Position(m) Time(s) Velocity(m/s) Time(s)
0 0 0 0
5 1 5 1
20 2 10 2
45 3 15 3
80 4 20 4
 HIGH SCHOOL
General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 Website: www.ubaguio.edu E-mail Address: ub@ubaguio.edu

Displacement (m)
80
70

Velocity (m/s)
60
50 20
40 15
30 10
20 5
10
0 1 2 3 4 0 1 2 3 4
Time (s) Time (s)
Figure C-1. (a) Displacement-time graph and (b) velocity-time graph of a car traveling at constant acceleration

As shown in Figure C-1a, the displacement-time graph of the car is not a straight line but a
parabola. This indicates that the distance covered by the object over time is increasing. The graph of
velocity versus time (Figure C-1b) is slanted upward, which indicates that the car’s velocity is
increasing over time but the rate of change in its velocity is constant as indicated by the slope of the
line. If the acceleration is constant, the motion is said to be uniformly accelerated.
Guide Question:
2. How does position-time graph of a constant velocity differ from position-time graph
of a constant acceleration?
3. How does velocity-time graph of a constant velocity differ from velocity-time graph
of a constant acceleration?

D. Other Motion Graph

Example 1 Position vs. Time
Position (m)

Notice that the value on the y-axis, which corresponds to the object’s position, does not change over time. This only

Time (s)
Example 2 Velocity vs. Time
Velocity (m/s)

The velocity (the rate at which an object changes its position) of the object is equal to zero. This means that the ob

Time (s)
Velocity (m/s)

The velocity is constant and not zero overtime. There is no change in velocity over tim

Time (s)
Acceleration (m/s2)

Example 3 Acceleration vs. Time

No acceleration happens in the object.

Time (s)
 Acceleration (m/s2)
This shows the object is moving with a
constant acceleration over time.

Time (s)

I. Activity (Do this on a graphing paper)

A. From the position vs. time data below, complete the following:
Point d (m) t (s) velocity(m/s)
A 0 0
B 1 2
C 2 4
D 3 4
E 4 7
F 5 10
G 6 10
H 7 10
I 8 5
J 9 0
1. Construct a graph of position vs. time.
2. Construct a graph of velocity vs. time.
3. Explain the graph of velocity vs. time.

B. Sketch the displacement-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs for…

1. an object moving with constant velocity. (Let the initial displacement be zero.)
2. an object moving with constant acceleration. (Let the initial displacement and velocity
be zero.)

II. Points to Ponder

 An object has changed its velocity if its speed and/or direction of motion have/has changed.
 Take note that the rate of change in velocity of an object can either be positive or negative.
 A positive acceleration indicates an increase in velocity.
 Deceleration, implies a decrease in velocity or slowing down.
 Take note that even if an object speeds up but moves towards an opposite direction with respect to
its initial direction its acceleration will be positive.

III. Exercise Write your answer on ½ lengthwise sheet of paper. Write your name, section, date
of accomplishment and title of the lesson.
A. Chose the letter that corresponds to the best answer.
1. Which of the following has a negative acceleration?
a. A car in uniform motion. c. A car slowing down to the right.
b. A car speeding up to the right. d. A car moving at a constant speed.
2. Which of the following indicates uniform velocity?
a. Speed is constant. c. Speed is constant, but direction is changing.
b. Speed and direction is constant. d. Speed is increasing, but direction is the same.
Questions 3-8 refer to the following generic graph shapes. Write the letter corresponding to the
appropriate graph at your answer sheet.
 3. Which graph fits a distance vs. time graph of an object moving at constant (non-zero) speed?
4. Which graph fits a speed vs. time graph of an object moving at constant (non-zero) speed?
5. Which two graphs fit a distance vs. time graph of a motionless object?
6. Which graphs fit a speed vs. time graph of a motionless object?
7. Which graph fits a distance vs. time graph of an object that is speeding up at a steady rate?
8. Which graph fits a speed vs. time graph of an object that is speeding up at a steady rate?

B. Short answer (12 points). Describe the motion of each segment of the object given its graph
below. You can say what direction it's moving, how fast it's going, and whether or not it's
accelerating, etc. Segment A-B was already given as an example.

Segment A-B
A-The speed of the object is decreasing uniformly. It's still moving forward. G H

B E F

C D

9. Segment B-C
10. Segment C-D
11. Segment D-E
12. Segment E-F
13. Segment F-G
14. Segment G-H

IV. Summary

Inthis lesson,youlearnedthe difference of position vs time and velocity vs time graphs of

constant velocity motion from those of constant acceleration motion. You also recognized that the
everyday usage and the physics usage of the term “acceleration” differ.

Mini Task 1: Graphical Representation (75 points)

A. From your house to the University of Baguio (Individual/Online/Offline)
B. From a member’s house of your choice to the University of Baguio (By
Group/Actual Classroom Setting)

Instructions: (From your house to the University of Baguio)

● Guided by any application available (Example: Google Map), make a digital map (see figure 1) from
your house to the University of Baguio in a short bond paper.
● Compute for the total distance and total average speed from your house to the school.
● Plot the data on a short bond paper and don’t forget to put your interpretation.

Instructions: (From a member’s house of your choice to the University of Baguio)

● Guided by any application available (Example: Google Map), make a diorama map from a member’s
house of your choice to the University of Baguio in a 1/8 illustration board using recyclable materials
(see the list of recyclable materials here http://www.lindoncity.org/recyclable-materials-list.htm)
● Make a story about the journey/travel out of your map from a member’s house to the school. Be
creative in making your story because you will share it to your classmates.
● Be mindful to incorporate the distance you have in your map to the story to really attain the objective
regarding the graphical representations of motion.
 HIGH SCHOOL
General Luna Road, Baguio City Philippines 2600

Telefax No.: (074) 442-3071 Website: www.ubaguio.edu E-mail Address: ub@ubaguio.edu

Figure 1: Sample Digital Map

Rubric:
Criteria Excellent Very Good Satisfactory Poor
The digital map is an The digital map is a The digital map The digital map
excellent good representation satisfactorily poorly represents
representation of the of the scene that has represents the scene the scene that has
scene that has been been chosen. It that has been been chosen. It
Representation chosen. It shows all shows 80% of roads, chosen. It only shows only shows less
(20) roads, landmarks, landmarks, 50% of roads, than 50% of roads,
establishments, and establishments and landmarks, landmarks,
infrastructures. infrastructures. establishments, and establishments,
infrastructures. and infrastructures.
20 17 14 11
Digital map uses Digital map uses Digital map uses Digital map does
legends that legends that legends but does not not have legends
accurately represent represent roads, accurately represent that represent
Legend (10) roads, infrastructures and roads, infrastructures roads,
infrastructures and establishments. and establishments. infrastructures and
establishments. establishments.
10 8 6 4
Objects are an Objects are an Objects are an Objects are of an
appropriate size and appropriate size and appropriate size and inappropriate size
interesting shape interesting shape and shape, but the and/or shape. It
and are arranged are arranged well. arrangement of items appears little
well. Care has been The map however is not very attractive. attention was given
Design (15)
taken to balance the does not appear It appears there was to designing the
map scene. balanced. not a lot of planning diorama.
of the item
placement.
15 12 9 6
Time and distance (with correct units) are Lacks time and/or distance.
mentioned in the story. Units of time and/or distance are not
Story (10)
accurate
10 5
The computation part should show the following:
Computation
- accurate and complete solution (given, formula, substitution, final answer)
(20) - accurate and complete solution of conversion (if needed)

Total 75