Graphs of linear motion
Dear students,
You are welcome to learn this unit Graphs of linear motion of S3 Physics
Learning objectives
By the end of this unit, the learner should be able specifically to
• Describe graphs of uniform rectilinear motion.
• Plot distance - time graphs and velocity- time graphs.
• Identify uniform velocity and non-uniform velocity from displacement-time graphs.
• Identify uniform acceleration and non-uniform acceleration from velocity–time graphs.
• Explain why the slope of a distance-time graph gives speed.
• Explain why the slope of a distance-time gives speed.
- Appreciate that the slope of distance -time graph gives velocity while the slope of velocity-time graph gives acceleration.
• Appreciate that linear motion can be represented using graphs.
Introduction
In this unit, we will draw motion graphs for objects moving in linear motion, analyses and interpret the motions as represented in the graphs. In our daily lives, we come across or interact with objects in motion. For example, people, animals and objects are from time to time involved in motion in various directions. The motion in a straight line is called linear motion, also referred to as rectilinear motion. Graphs of linear motion help us to visualize and analyses various aspects of the motion including distance and displacement covered, speed and velocity, direction of motion and acceleration.