Kinematics Graph Simulation
Reading motion graphs is a skill separate from doing the algebra, and this simulation trains it directly. Manipulate any one of the position, velocity or acceleration graphs and watch the other two update to stay consistent.
How to use this simulation
- Edit any of the three graphs and see the others follow
- Select preset motions to analyse
- Read the gradient and area at any point
What to look for
- A horizontal velocity graph gives a straight, sloping position graph
- Where the velocity graph crosses zero, the position graph reaches a turning point
- Area below the axis on a velocity graph counts as negative displacement
The physics behind it
The three graphs are linked by calculus: velocity is the gradient of position, acceleration the gradient of velocity. Going the other way, displacement is the area under the velocity graph. A positive velocity with a negative acceleration means slowing down while still moving forwards — a case that trips up many students.