Graphing

Changes in
Motion
© The Science Duo
 Motion
• The process of changing place or position

• Reference point – a stationary point used to determine

the position of an object

• A reference point is needed to determine whether an

object is in motion or not

• 4 Examples of reference points – parked cars, trees,

buildings, landforms
 Motion
Identify 3 objects that could be reference points.

• Dock
• Wooden Poles
• Buildings
 Distance vs. Time Graphs
• Also referred to as a speed graph

• Distance is plotted on the y-axis

• Time is plotted on the x-axis

• The steeper the slope of the line on the graph, the faster
the object is moving
Steeper slope = faster
Distance

Time
 Distance vs. Time Graphs
• Constant Speed = a straight line slanted upward

• Acceleration = a curved line

• No motion = a flat, horizontal line

• The line will never slant downward because total

distance cannot be subtracted
Distance

Distance
Distance

Time Time Time

 Position vs. Time Graphs
• Also referred to as a displacement graph

• Position is plotted on the y-axis

• Time is plotted on the x-axis

• Displacement is the difference in position between the

starting point and final point
The displacement
represented on this graph is
Position

0. The object started and

ended at the same point.

Time
 Position vs. Time Graphs
• Constant Speed = a straight line (up or down)

• Acceleration = a curved line (up or down)

• No motion = a flat, horizontal line

• The line will slope upward when an object is moving away from
the starting point and downward when moving toward the
starting point
Position

Position
Position

Time Time Time

 Speed vs. Time Graphs
• Also referred to as an acceleration graph

• Speed is plotted on the y-axis

• Time is plotted on the x-axis

• The steeper the slope of the line, the faster the object is
accelerating
Steeper slope = faster
acceleration
Speed

Time
 Speed vs. Time Graphs
• Constant Speed = a flat, horizontal line

• Acceleration = a straight line (up or down)

• No motion = a flat, horizontal line at 0

• The line will slope upward when speeding up and

downward when slowing down
Speed

Speed
Speed

Time Time Time

 Checkpoint
• 5 checkpoint questions

• Discuss each question with a partner

• Write a complete answer to each question on your

notes page
 Question 1
Write a short scenario to describe the
motion represented on the graph.
Position vs. Time
Position from home (miles)

Time (hours)
 Question 2
Rank the runners from fastest to slowest speed.

David
Eddie
Distance

Adrian

Time
 Question 3
Describe the differences
between a Distance vs.
Time graph and a
Position vs. Time graph.
 Question 4
How is it possible to
have a distance of 100
meters, but a
displacement of 0
meters?
 Question 5
Which segment of the graph represents
constant speed? Explain your answer.
Speed vs. Time
D

C
Speed (m/s)

B
A

Time (seconds)