Motion Plots

AP Physics 1

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Part I: Multi-Segment Graph Analysis

Interactive Class Challenge

Describe the object's direction and state of motion during each of the following intervals:

$0 - 3\text{ sec}$, $3 - 6\text{ sec}$, $6 - 8\text{ sec}$, and $8\text{ sec} +$

Kinematic position or velocity curves over time
Figure 1.1: Multi-interval velocity representation

Motion Answers (Set A)

  • $0 - 3 \text{ s}$ Increasing velocity (positive constant acceleration)
  • $3 - 6 \text{ s}$ At rest ($V = 0 \text{ m/s}$)
  • $6 - 8 \text{ s}$ Constant backward velocity ($V = -7.5 \text{ m/s}$)
  • $8\text{ s} +$ Maintaining constant backward velocity ($V = -7.5 \text{ m/s}$)

Motion Answers (Set B)

  • $0 - 3 \text{ s}$ Increasing acceleration ($a$)
  • $3 - 6 \text{ s}$ Constant high velocity ($V = 15 \text{ m/s}$)
  • $6 - 8 \text{ s}$ Constant deceleration ($a = -7.5 \text{ m/s}^2$)
  • $8\text{ s} +$ Maintaining deceleration rate ($a = -7.5 \text{ m/s}^2$)
Kinematic acceleration curves over time
Figure 1.2: Multi-interval acceleration representation

Part II: Interval Behavior Analysis

Complex Kinematic Plot Reference

Reference the curves below to analyze the velocity dynamics within the summary table.

Figure 2.1: Graph key for acceleration steps
Time Interval (sec) Motion Description Acceleration ($a$)
$0 - 2$ 📈 Speeding up $a = -5 \text{ m/s}^2$
$2 - 3$ 📉 Slowing down to a stop $a = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$
$3 - 4$ 📈 Speeding up $a = 10 \text{ m/s}^2$
$4 - \infty$ ➡️ Constant Speed = $10 \text{ m/s}$ $a = 0$