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Physics Form 4, Chapter 2: Force & Motion 1

Key Understanding: Linear motion, graphs, free fall motion, inertia, momentum, force, impulsive
force & weight

Notes By: Bazil

Graphs of Motions

1. There are 3 types of motion graphs:

a) Displacement – time graph

b) Velocity – time graph
c) Acceleration – time graph

2. When analysing a graph, it is important for us to know what is the physical quantity that is
represented by the gradient of the graph and the area below the graph.
3. For example, in a displacement – time graph, the gradient represents the velocity of the
moving object, whereas in a velocity – time graph, the gradient represent the acceleration of
the moving object.
4. It is also important for you to know how to find the gradient of a straight line from a graph.
5. Sometimes, you will be asked to convert a displacement – time graph to a velocity – time
graph or convert a velocity – time graph to an acceleration – time graph.

Displacement – Time Graph

I
Gradient ya y
Nz

In a displacement – time graph, the gradient of the graph is equal to the velocity of motion.
Analyzing Displacement – Time Graph

1. When analyzing displacement – time graph, always remember that the gradient of the graph
represents the velocity of the graph.
2. Therefore, if the gradient of the graph is positive, the velocity is positive and if the gradient
of the graph is negative, the velocity is negative.
3. A negative velocity indicates that the object moves in opposite direction.

Also means
at rest

7 this graph the

gradient is positive
 Other importantthings to take note
i y intercept is equal to initial displacement
2 when2 curves coincide barterer the 2 objects have the
same displacement at that time
3 Straight line shows
uniform velocity
41 Carved line shows acceleration deceleration
 positive gradient indicates the positive direction
5 a motion in
indicates a motion in the negative direction
6 negative gradient
7 Zero gradient indicates a state of rest
Velocity – Time Graph

we
i
a
ay
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shows how fast an
object has travelled
in a giventime
i
1. The gradient of the velocity – time gradient gives a value of the changing rate in velocity,
which is the acceleration of the object.graph
2. The area below the velocity – time graph gives a value of the object’s displacement.

Analyzing Velocity – Time Graph

1. When analyzing velocity – time graph, always keep in mind that the gradient of the graph is
equal to the acceleration of the graph.
2. If the gradient is constant, then the acceleration is constant. If the gradient increases, then
the acceleration increases and so on.

Gradient is zero

Hence the acceleration

is zero
The object is moving
with uniform velocity
 The gradient is uniform
Hence the object is
moving with uniform
acceleration

The gradient is increasing

Hence the object is moving

with increasing acceleration

Other Notes time

graph
velocity
on

11 Area under the graph is equal to displacement

is initial velocity
2 g intercept
curves coincide the two objects have the same
3 when 2

velocity at that time acceleration

line shows uniform
4 straight uniform acceleration
51 Carved lines show indicates an increase in velocity
non

6 positive gradientdirection use verse

in the positive with constant
a motion
7 Zero gradient indicates
 The gradient is uniform

negative Here the object

is moving with uniform
deceleration

The gradient is decreasing

Hence the object is
with decreasing
moving
acceleration

Converting a velocity – time graph to acceleration - time graph

1. In order to convert a velocity – time graph to acceleration time graph, we need to find the
gradient of the velocity time graph and plot it in the acceleration – time graph.
Acceleration
velocitylanes Displacement time graph
time Graph
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