Describing Motion with Diagrams

The Motion Diagrams Video Tutorial describes the appearance of dot diagrams and vector diagrams for constant speed, speeding up, and slowing down motions. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

1. What is a dot diagram and how can it be used to describe a constant speed or a changing speed motion?
2. What is a vector diagram and how can it be used to describe a constant speed or a changing speed motion?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Concept Builder: Name That Motion
Students love Concept Builders. In this one, you have to match a given motion to the proper verbal description. You are shown an animation and corresponding dot diagram. You have 11 sets of words to chose from that describe the motion. The CB requires an understanding of acceleration; watch that video before doing the Concept Builder.

Concept Builder: Motion Diagrams
This is the perfect follow-up to the video. You have to use your understanding to create motion diagrams - dot diagrams and vector diagrams combined. You will need to understand acceleration to be successful. If you have not learned about acceleration, Watch that video before doing the Concept Builder.

MOP the App #1: Kinematics Concepts, Mission KC5: Oil Drop Representations
Here's a bold statement: you will not find a better exercise for putting knowledge to practice than the Minds On Physics program. Available as an app on several devices, the MOP program consists of carefully crafted questions that target discrete concepts. Mission KC5 on App#1 is a great follow-up to this video lesson. If you are serious about learning Physics, this is a great activity.

The Tutorial, Kinematics Chapter, Lesson 2, Ticker Tape Diagrams
The Tutorial section of our website remains the most visited section on the site ... and for good reason. Visitors walk away having learned something. It makes a great written reference to this video lesson.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner: Describing Motion with Diagrams
Our Curriculum Corner features a collection of single-concept (mostly) Think Sheets that develop concepts in a logically organized manner. Our Describing Motion with Diagrams Think Sheet makes for a great in-class follow-up on this topic. You can view Think Sheets on similar topics here.

Concept Builder: Name That Motion
Students love Concept Builders. Their game-like feel and immediate feedback are engaging. They make for awesome formative assessments and in-class check-ups. In this activity, students must identify the proper verbal description that matches an animation and accompanying dot diagram. It's challenging and profitable.

Concept Builder: Motion Diagrams
This Concept Builder offers students an opportunity to put all the content of the video into practice. We highly recommend our Motion Diagrams Concept Builder. Try this one to assess students ability to combine dot diagrams and vector diagrams. We recommend it as a follow-up; it does require a pre-requisite understanding of acceleration.

MOP the App #1: Kinematics Concepts, Mission KC5: Oil Drop Representations
Here's a bold claim: there is not a better exercise for putting knowledge into practice than the Minds On Physics program. Available as an app on several devices, the MOP program consists of carefully crafted questions that target discrete concepts. Mission KC5 on App #1 is a great follow-up to this video lesson. For students that are serious about learning Physics, this is a great activity.

The Tutorial, 1-D Kinematics Chapter, Lesson 2: Ticker Tape Diagrams
Since the birth of our website, our Tutorial section has been a go-to place for learners to further their understanding of Physics concepts. This page from our Kinematics Chapter makes a great reference to the ideas learned in the video.

Concept Builder: Dots and Graphs
This Concept Builder challenges students to associate dot diagrams with position-time graphs and velocity-time graphs. While you may not be that far into the Kinematics curriculum, you should remember that it exists and return to it later.

Teacher Toolkits: Position-Velocity-Acceleration
We recognize that you may be interested in more than dot diagrams. The concepts they represent that are associated with position, velocity, and acceleration are critical. We've put together a series of Teacher Toolkits that identify a collection of resources about the internet that are standards-based and multi-media driven. You may find some resources of interest in our Toolkit titled
Position-Velocity-Acceleration

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.