Unit

Name_______________________________________________

Date_________________

Using Velocity-versus-Time Graphs to find Displacement

Part 1: The figure on the right shows a velocityversus-clock reading graph that represents the
motion of a bicycle, modeled as a point particle
(hence, we are not interested in the motion of the
feet, head, etc.), moving along a straight bike path.
The positive direction of the position axis is toward
the east.
a)

Describe the motion of the bike in words.

b) Sketch the position versus time graph for the

same motion?

c) Think of how you can use the graph to estimate the bikes displacement from a clock reading of

10 s to a clock reading of 15 s. Explain. (Hint: Think of the area of a rectangle.)

d) Use the graph to estimate the bikes displacement from a clock reading of 0 s to 20 s.

Unit 2

Part 2: More Practice

The figure above shows a velocity vs. time graph that represents the motion of a person
moving along a straight hiking path. The positive direction of the coordinate axis is toward the
south.

a) Describe
the motion of the
hiker in words.

b) Use the graph to determine how far the hiker moved from the clock reading of 0s to the
clock reading of 60 s. Explain.

c) Use the graph to estimate his distance traveled for the time interval 60 s to 80 s.

d) What was the instantaneous speed of the biker at 45s?

e) What is the average speed of the hiker? Explain.

Unit 2

Part 3: Smarty Pants CheckLevel 1

The following graphs represent the motions of two bicyclists. With which of the statements
about the motions do you agree? More than one statement is correct. Explain your choice.
V vs. T

Bike A

P vs. T

v m/s)

Bike B

x,(m)

t, s

t, s

a)

Bike A started moving at constant positive velocity.

b)

Bike B climbed over a flat hill.

c)

Bike A stopped twice during the trip.

d)

Bike B stopped twice during the trip.

e)

The last part of the trip bike A was not moving.

f)

The last part of the trip bike B was moving at constant speed in the negative direction.

g)

The last part of the trip bike A was moving at constant speed in the negative direction.

h)

When we started observing Bike B it was moving at constant positive velocity.

i)

When we started observing bike A it was moving at increasing velocity in the positive direction,
then it reached some constant velocity (positive) and continued moving for a while, then its
velocity started decreasing and at some point it became zero. Then it continued to increase in
the negative direction until it reached some new velocity which it maintained for a while.

j)

When we started observing bike B it was moving at constant velocity in the positive direction, then
it stopped for a while, then it started going back to the origin and then in the negative direction.
Finally it stopped.

Unit 2
Part IV: Smarty Pants CheckLevel 2

C.

30

Velocity (m/s)

Posi%on (m)

A.
20
10
0
0

6
4
2
0
0

50

Time (s)

Time (s)

D.

0
2

-10
-20
-30

Time (s)

0
Posi%on (m)

Velocity (m/s)

B.
0

100

-10
-20
-30

Examine the
graphs. Then
choose the
statements with
which you
disagree (there
may be more
than one.)
Explain your
reasons. Then
explain why
someone would
choose those
wrong answers
as correct.

Time (s)

1. The first two graphs (A and B) provide

the same information.

2. The second two graphs (C and D)

provide the same information.

3. Object A traveled 60 meters in 3

seconds from the location it was at the
0 clock reading.

4. Object B traveled 40 meters in 2

seconds in the positive direction.

6. Objects A and D were not moving

during the experiment.
7. Object C was moving in the negative
direction at the speed of 20 m/s.

8. Object D was moving in the negative

direction at the speed of 20 m/s.
9. Object C was moving in the negative
direction at the speed of (-20 m/s).

10. Object D traveled 40 m in 2 seconds in

the negative direction.

5. Object C was not moving during the

experiment.
4