<p align="right">Last Update: <font color="#4f81bd">July, 30, 2024</font></p> ## BIG IDEAS - An acceleration-time graph is a graphical representation that shows how an object's acceleration varies with time. - The vertical axis (y-axis) represents acceleration, typically measured in meters per second squared (m/s²). - The horizontal axis (x-axis) represents time, typically measured in seconds (s). ### Constant Acceleration A horizontal line on an acceleration-time graph indicates constant acceleration. The value of the acceleration is given by the y-coordinate of the line. If the line is above the time-axis, the acceleration is positive; if it's below, the acceleration is negative (deceleration). ### Zero Acceleration A line along the time-axis (y = 0) indicates zero acceleration, meaning the object moves with constant velocity (it’s neither speeding up nor slowing down). ### Changing Acceleration A sloped line (not horizontal) indicates that the acceleration is changing over time. If the slope is positive, the acceleration is increasing; if the slope is negative, the acceleration is decreasing. ### Area Under the Curve The area under the acceleration-time graph represents the change in velocity. A positive area indicates an increase in velocity, while a negative area indicates a decrease in velocity. ### Instantaneous Acceleration At any point on the graph, the y-coordinate represents the instantaneous acceleration at that specific time. ### Interpreting Different Sections Different segments of the graph can indicate different behaviors, such as periods of constant acceleration, intervals of increasing or decreasing acceleration, and moments of zero acceleration. --- Return [[Home|Home]] | [[Mechanics]] | [[Notes Vault/Physics Notes Vault/Kinematics/Kinematics]] | [[Motion Diagram]] | [[Motion Graphs]]