Motion of a point along a line
This interactive figure will allow you to explore the motion of a point () along a line by altering the velocity of the point along a line segment.
The -value of the sinusoidal function is the velocity of point as it moves along the line segment. Move the control points , , and of the graph of the sinusoidal function to explore the motion of point . The distance from the START point to is the displacement of point . The average velocity is the displacement divided by the time it took for the displacement to occur.
Explore the following:
- Explore when moves the fastest or slowest or not at all.
- Explore when the velocity is negative.
- Explore where has the greatest acceleration.
Developed for use with Thomas' Calculus, published by Pearson.