LAST NAME
1.9 Car Motion Graph Exercise
FIRST NAME
OBJECTIVE: Interpreting an X vs t graphs
Connect to the following link: http://www.webassign.net/serway/af/AF_0202.swf
FI
You should see the page as shown to the right. Push the play button to see what
the car does. Move the points on the graph and then push the play button.
The car shown will be controlled to match the x vs t graph shown below it.
FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS AS YOU GO.
SCENERIO 1 - HORIZONTAL GRAPH ABOVE THE X AXIS–

Move the dots on the graph (marked A, B, C, D, E , F) so they are lined up horizontally
across the graph above the x axis. Once you have set the graph as described above, press
the START button and observe the motion of the car. (It may not move much at all.)
 If you need to observe a second time press the START button again .
SCENERIO 1 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the slope of the graph?
How does this compare to the motion of the car?
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
A
D
G
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 2 - HORIZONTAL GRAPH BELOW THE X AXIS–
 Move the dots on the graph so they are lined up horizontally across the graph below the x axis. (It does not
matter what number you choose.) Once you have set the graph as described above, press the START button and

observe the motion of the car. (It may move much at all.)
If you need to observe a second time press the START button again.
SCENERIO 2 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the slope of the graph?
How does this compare to the motion of the car?
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
BEFORE MOVING ON HAVE YOUR WORK CHECKED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR______________
SCENERIO 3 – UPWARDS CONSTANT SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph so the first point (dot) is on the origin of the graph (0,0)
and the following points create a straight (or at least fairly straight) line sloping
upwards. (SEE THE EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must
have a constant slope upwards)

Observe.
SCENERIO 3 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 4 – UPWARDS CONSTANT SLOPE– STEEPER THIS TIME
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a steeper graph this time. (SEE THE EXAMPLE,
yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must have a constant slope
upwards)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 4 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
How does the slope compare to the prior situation? Steeper or The Same or Less Steep
How does the velocity of the car in this situation compare to the prior situation? Faster or Same or Slower
How is the slope of the X vs T graph related to the velocity of the car? (Explain)
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 5 – DOWNWARDS CONSTANT SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a constant downward slope. (SEE THE
EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must have a constant
slope down)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 5 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 6 – DOWNWARDS CONSTANT SLOPE– STEEPER THIS TIME
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a constant downwards slope but steeper
this time. (SEE THE EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but
it must have a constant slope upwards)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 6 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
BEFORE MOVING ON HAVE YOUR WORK CHECKED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR______________
SCENERIO 7 – UPWARDS INCREASING SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a graph that increases BUT AT AN
INCREASING RATE (steeper and steeper). Here the graph gets steeper and steeper.
(SEE THE EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but its slope must
be upwards and get steeper)

Observe.
SCENERIO 7 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
Is the velocity positive or negative? + -
What direction is the car moving? Forward Backwards
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 8 – DOWNWARDS INCREASING SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a graph that decreases BUT AT AN INCREASING
RATE. (downwards steeper and steeper) Here the graph gets steeper and steeper.
(SEE THE EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must have a
constant slope upwards)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 8 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
Is the velocity positive or negative? + -
What direction is the car moving? Forward Backwards
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 9 – UPWARDS WITH DECREASING SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a graph that increases BUT AT A DECREASING RATE.
(upwards but less and less steep) Here the graph becomes less steep. (SEE THE EXAMPLE,
yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must have the correct shape)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 9 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
Is the velocity positive or negative? + -
What direction is the car moving? Forward Backwards
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
SCENERIO 10 – DOWNWARDS WITH DECREASING SLOPE–
 Move the dots on the graph to obtain a graph that decreases BUT AT A DECREASING
RATE. (downwards but less and less steep) Here the graph becomes less steep. (SEE
THE EXAMPLE, yours does not have to be exactly the same but it must have the
correct shape)
 Observe.
SCENERIO 10 QUESTIONS
Where is the car located at the start?
How does this compare to the graph?
Where is the car located at the end?
How does this compare to the graph?
Is the velocity positive or negative? + -
What direction is the car moving? Forward Backwards
What is the sign of the slope of the graph? Up = + , Down = -
What direction does the car move? Forward or Backward
Describe how the car moves? (Choose as many as apply)
A
D
G
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) behind zero ( - position)
The car moves backwards (- velocity)
with a constant velocity
The car moves forward but slows down (
- acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
B
E
H
The car stays at the same place (position
is constant) in front of zero ( + position)
The car moves forwards faster and faster
(+ acceleration)
The car moves backwards but slows down
( + acceleration or decelerating) (maybe
even goes back in the other direction. )
The car moves forward (+ velocity) with a
C constant velocity
F
The car moves backwards faster and
faster (- acceleration)
BEFORE MOVING ON HAVE YOUR WORK CHECKED BY YOUR INSTRUCTOR______________
Now play with the graph to learn how the graph represents the movement of the car.