Detail Page
written by
Tom Henderson
This 3-part tutorial, developed for high school physics students, uses multiple graphs to study the relationship between the motion of an object and the shape of its p-t graph. Special attention is given to the meaning of the graph's shape to help beginners differentiate constant velocity from accelerated motion. The slope equation is illustrated in an interactive format allowing for learner self-evaluation. The tutorial is designed in a manner to help dispel common student misconceptions about the meaning of position. See Related Materials for an accompanying lab by the same author.
This item is part of The Physics Classroom, a comprehensive set of tutorials and multimedia resources for high school physics students. Editor's Note: Education research indicates that students have difficulty relating real-world motion to a graph. In particular, many incorrectly plot position graphs as the path of an object. See Related Materials for a free research-based diagnostic tool to probe misconceptions related to motion and force.
Next Generation Science StandardsCrosscutting Concepts (K-12)
Patterns (K-12)
NGSS Science and Engineering Practices (K-12)
Using Mathematics and Computational Thinking (5-12)
AAAS Benchmark Alignments (2008 Version)4. The Physical Setting
4F. Motion
9. The Mathematical World
9B. Symbolic Relationships
9C. Shapes
Common Core State Standards for Mathematics AlignmentsStandards for Mathematical Practice (K-12)
MP.2 Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Expressions and Equations (6-8)
Understand the connections between proportional relationships,
lines, and linear equations. (8)
Functions (8)
Use functions to model relationships between quantities. (8)
High School — Functions (9-12)
Interpreting Functions (9-12)
Common Core State Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6—12
Craft and Structure (6-12)
Range of Reading and Level of Text Complexity (6-12)
This resource is part of a Physics Front Topical Unit.
Topic: Kinematics: The Physics of Motion
Unit Title: Graphing Excellent self-guided tutorial promotes understanding of "position" as a physics concept. Contains multiple graphs, animations, and interactive opportunities for students to test their comprehension. Link to Unit:
ComPADRE is beta testing Citation Styles!
Record Link
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=3312">Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs. December 15, 2007.</a>
AIP Format
T. Henderson, (1996), WWW Document, (https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm).
AJP/PRST-PER
T. Henderson, The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs (1996), <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm>.
APA Format
Henderson, T. (2007, December 15). The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs. Retrieved December 12, 2024, from https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm
Chicago Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs. December 15, 2007. https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm (accessed 12 December 2024).
MLA Format
Henderson, Tom. The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs. 1996. 15 Dec. 2007. 12 Dec. 2024 <https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm>.
BibTeX Export Format
@misc{
Author = "Tom Henderson",
Title = {The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs},
Volume = {2024},
Number = {12 December 2024},
Month = {December 15, 2007},
Year = {1996}
}
Refer Export Format
%A Tom Henderson %T The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs %D December 15, 2007 %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm %O text/html
EndNote Export Format
%0 Electronic Source %A Henderson, Tom %D December 15, 2007 %T The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs %V 2024 %N 12 December 2024 %8 December 15, 2007 %9 text/html %U https://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/1DKin/U1L3a.cfm Disclaimer: ComPADRE offers citation styles as a guide only. We cannot offer interpretations about citations as this is an automated procedure. Please refer to the style manuals in the Citation Source Information area for clarifications.
Citation Source Information
The AIP Style presented is based on information from the AIP Style Manual. The APA Style presented is based on information from APA Style.org: Electronic References. The Chicago Style presented is based on information from Examples of Chicago-Style Documentation. The MLA Style presented is based on information from the MLA FAQ. This resource is stored in 12 shared folders. You must login to access shared folders. The Physics Classroom: Describing Motion with Position vs. Time Graphs:
Accompanies
P/T Graphing Lab
Teacher's Guide to a P/T graphing lab by the same author that supplements this tutorial. Requires motion detectors. relation by Caroline Hall
Covers the Same Topic As
Student Difficulties in Physics Information Center
An annotated list of documented student misconceptions related to concepts of position, velocity, and acceleration. Contains probative questions to elicit and address the misconceptions. relation by Caroline Hall
Is Simulated By
Physics Classroom: Graphs and Ramps Interactive
A simulation by the same author that allows students to build ramps in a configuration that matches given Position vs. Time and Velocity vs. Time graphs. relation by Caroline HallKnow of another related resource? Login to relate this resource to it. |
SupplementsContributeRelated Materials
Accompanies
Covers the Same Topic As
Student Difficulties in Physics Information Center Is Simulated BySimilar Materials |