How can motion be represented in a displacement-time graph?

Motion can be represented in a displacement-time graph by plotting displacement on the y-axis and time on the x-axis.

In a displacement-time graph, the displacement (or position) of an object is plotted against time. This graph provides a visual representation of the motion of an object over a period of time. The y-axis represents the displacement of the object from a reference point, while the x-axis represents the time elapsed.

The slope of the graph at any point represents the velocity of the object at that particular time. If the slope is constant, it means the object is moving at a constant velocity. If the slope is increasing, it means the object is accelerating, and if the slope is decreasing, it means the object is decelerating.

A horizontal line on a displacement-time graph indicates that the object is at rest, as there is no change in displacement over time. A straight line inclined to the time axis indicates uniform motion, as the displacement is changing uniformly with time. A curved line indicates non-uniform motion, as the displacement is not changing uniformly with time.

The area under the graph does not have any physical significance in a displacement-time graph. This is unlike a velocity-time graph where the area under the graph represents displacement.

In summary, a displacement-time graph is a powerful tool in physics that allows us to understand and analyse the motion of an object. By studying the shape and slope of the graph, we can determine whether the object is at rest, moving at a constant velocity, or accelerating or decelerating.