Motion Graphs: 1D Kinematics

Interactive visualisation of displacement, velocity, and acceleration

How to Use This Simulation

Edit graphs: Toggle between editing velocity (green) or acceleration (red). Drag control points on the v–t graph or intervals on the a–t graph to edit the motion.

Explore motion: Drag the yellow reference marker or click the track to set the car's initial position. Click "Play" to watch the car move along the track.

Predict mode: Click "Predict" to test your understanding. Draw your predicted s–t and a–t graphs, then click "Reveal" to check your answers.

Show graphs:

Motion Animation

Speed: 1.0×
→ Sign convention: +x is to the right
reference position
x = 0 (drag me)
→
x = 0.00 m
v = 0.00 m/s
a = 0.00 m/s²
t = 0.00 s

Displacement–Time Graph: x (m) vs t (s) — Shows position relative to chosen reference position

Velocity–Time Graph: v (m/s) vs t (s) — Drag control points to change motion

Acceleration–Time Graph: a (m/s²) vs t (s) — Drag to set acceleration for each interval

Understanding the Physics

Displacement (s or x)

Displacement is the change in position from a reference point. Negative values mean the object is on the negative side of the reference position. On the s–t graph, the gradient (slope) shows velocity. Steeper slopes mean higher speed.

Velocity (v)

Velocity is the rate of change of displacement. Negative velocity means moving in the negative direction (leftward in this case). On the v–t graph, the gradient shows acceleration. The area under the graph gives the change in displacement.

Acceleration (a)

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Positive acceleration can either speed up rightward motion or slow down leftward motion. Negative acceleration can either slow down rightward motion or speed up leftward motion.