Kinematics Graphs

Interpret position-time and velocity-time graphs for uniform acceleration

Kinematics describes motion without asking why it happens. For constant acceleration, position follows a parabola on an x-t graph while velocity traces a straight line on a v-t graph. The slope of the x-t curve at any instant equals the instantaneous velocity; the slope of the v-t line equals acceleration. Crucially, the signed area under the v-t graph between two times equals the displacement — not the distance. Negative velocity means motion in the negative direction; negative area means the object moved backward. Mastering these graph relationships is the single most tested skill on AP Physics 1.