Part 5/6:
Graphing the Motion
Using a graphing tool, we can visualize the acceleration, velocity, and position of the particle over time:
The position graph characterizes the particle’s motion.
The velocity graph depicts the changes in speed, with positive and negative values indicating direction.
The acceleration graph reveals how the speed is changing—that is, whether the particle is speeding up or slowing down.
Speeding Up vs. Slowing Down
Understanding whether a particle is speeding up or slowing down involves analyzing the signs of velocity and acceleration:
Speeding Up: When velocity and acceleration share the same sign (both positive or both negative).
Slowing Down: When velocity and acceleration have opposite signs.