PhysicsUnit 2 Constant Velocity

Motion Maps

Motion Maps

Motion maps are another way to represent the motion of an object. (other representations are graphical and mathematical models).

Motion maps are a visual way to represent an object’s motion at various time.

How would you describe the position of the car moving with a constant velocity over time?

Motion Maps

To make a motion map of the car’s motion, you need to draw an arrow representing positive direction.

The beginning of the arrow is the reference point.

Motion Maps

X

If the object is moving, its position will change over time. If the object is stationary, its position will remain the same as time increases

On a motion map, this is illustrated by a signal dot on the position arrow.

Motion Maps

X

X

Constant Positive Velocity

Stationary

The object’s constant velocity is indicated by two things: The displacement between the points are constant, and the arrows indicating the object’s velocity are the same length.

If the object is stationary, then the velocity is zero and there is not arrow indicating the velocity

Motion Maps

X

XStationary

Constant Positive Velocity

If the velocity of the object increases, then the arrows representing velocity should be longer and the displacement between the points should be greater.

Motion Maps

Xlarge positive constant velocity

If the object begins at some positive position in front of the reference point and moves toward the reference point, the velocity will be negative and the velocity arrows on the motion map point left instead of right.

Motion Maps

XNegative constant velocity

A motion map for an object moving to the right with a constant velocity, stops for two seconds, and then moves with a slower constant velocity to the left.

Motion Maps

X