Position–Time Graph
See how x(t) = x₀ + v₀t + ½at² unfolds — slope = velocity, curvature = acceleration.
Key Notes
x-t graph plots position against time. Slope at any point = instantaneous velocity.
A horizontal line means rest (v = 0). A straight inclined line means uniform velocity.
A curved line (parabola) means constant acceleration — x(t) = x₀ + v₀t + ½at².
Concave-up parabola → a > 0; concave-down → a < 0.
Two objects meet when their x-t curves intersect.
Formulas
Position with uniform a
Kinematic equation for constant acceleration.
Instantaneous velocity
Slope of x-t curve at a given instant.
Important Points
x-t slope = v; v-t slope = a. These are the two core readings from any motion graph.
Area under v-t curve = displacement (Δx). Area under a-t curve = Δv.
Negative slope on x-t means motion in the −x direction.
Position–Time Graph notes from sciphylab (also known as SciPhy, SciPhy Lab, SciPhy Labs, Physics Lab). Class 11 physics revision for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NEET UG, AP Physics 1/2/C, SAT, and CUET-UG.