Motion in a Straight Line

Physics · Class 11

Simulation · Physics · Class 11

Position, velocity and the graphs that record them

"Position, velocity and the graphs that record them" is a free, interactive Class 11 Physics simulation for NEET and JEE, built on the lesson "Reading motion graphs" in Motion in a Straight Line. The track, the x–t graph and the v–t graph all show the same car. Press Play and watch the dot move on all three at once. The slope of the x–t graph is the velocity, the slope of the v–t graph is the acceleration, and the signed area under the v–t graph is the displacement. Distance adds the areas without their signs. JEE Main asked 30 questions from this chapter across the 42 shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).

From the lesson Reading motion graphs in Motion in a Straight Line. Change the values and watch what happens.

Position, velocity and the graphs that record themPhysics · Class 11

In JEE Main

42 shifts analysed

30 questions from Motion in a Straight Line across the 42 JEE Main shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).

See the past questions

The idea behind it

NCERT § "Acceleration"

  • x-t graph: slope gives velocity. v-t graph: slope gives acceleration and area gives displacement. a-t graph: area gives change in velocity.
  • To find distance from a v-t graph, add the magnitudes of the areas above and below the time axis; to find displacement, add them with their signs.
  • A point where the v-t graph crosses the time axis is where the body momentarily stops and reverses direction.
  • An x-t graph can never show two positions at the same instant, and a real v-t graph cannot jump suddenly, since that would need infinite acceleration.
  • In NCERT's idealised graphs the sharp corners (instant changes in velocity) are a simplification; real motion rounds them off.
  • When x is a polynomial in t, differentiate once for v and twice for a; if a depends on t, the kinematic equations of constant acceleration do not apply.

Questions

3 answers

What does the "Position, velocity and the graphs that record them" simulation show?
The track, the x–t graph and the v–t graph all show the same car. Press Play and watch the dot move on all three at once.
Does JEE Main ask questions from Motion in a Straight Line?
Yes. JEE Main asked 30 questions from this chapter across the 42 shifts Lumi has analysed (2017–2026).
Is this simulation free?
Yes. It is free and runs in the browser on a phone or a laptop. It belongs to the lesson "Reading motion graphs" in Motion in a Straight Line (Class 11 Physics).

Embed this simulation

Free, with a link back

Teaching this idea? Put the simulation on your own page or LMS with this code.