Negative Velocity and
Positive Acceleration
A GIF Animation
Observe that the object below moves in the negative direction
with a changing velocity. An object which moves in the negative
direction has a negative velocity. If the object is slowing down then
its acceleration vector is directed in the opposite direction as its
motion (in this case, a positive acceleration). The "ticker tape"
shows that each consecutive dot is not the same distance apart (i.e.,
a changing velocity). The position-time graph shows that the slope is
changing (meaning a changing velocity) and negative (meaning a
negative velocity). The velocity-time graph shows a line with a
positive (upward) slope (meaning that there is a positive
acceleration); the line is located in the negative region of the
graph (corresponding to a negative velocity). The acceleration-time
graph shows a horizontal line in the positive region of the graph
(meaning a positive acceleration).
For more information on physical descriptions of motion,
visit
The
Physics Classroom. Specific information is available there on the
following topics:
This page was created by
Tom
Henderson of
Glenbrook South
High School.
Comments and suggestions can be sent by e-mail to
Tom
Henderson.
A hearty thanks is due to lab assistant Amit Patel for his
assistance with the graphics and GIF animation.
This page last updated on 2/24/97.