Grade 10 Physical Sciences · Mechanics

Describe motion from graphs or words

Describe how an object moves by reading a position-time, velocity-time or acceleration-time graph (a flat line on a position-time graph means the object is at rest).

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Velocity Time Graph Grade 10 ScienceKevinmathscience

How to understand position vs time graphs for Grade 10Mr. G Physics

Graphs of Motion Velocity vs Time Graph past paper questionMiss Martins Maths and Science

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Question 1.3 · May/June 2025 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks

Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.11 E.

1.3 The velocity versus time sketch graph below is for the motion of a ball that is projected vertically upwards from the top of a building.

The ball reached its greatest height above the ground at a certain time. Which point on the graph corresponds to this greatest height?(2) Diagram for question 1.3

Work it out on paper first. Then mark yourself with the official memo, one tick at a time.

More past paper questions: describe motion from graphs or words

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3. Question 1.3 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1 to 1.10).
1.3 The velocity versus time sketch graph below represents the motion of a ball which was in free fall. The ball struck the ground after 3t seconds.

Which ONE of the following statements is CORRECT?

The ball was ...(2)
1. A dropped from a height above the ground.
2. B thrown vertically upwards from the ground.
3. C thrown vertically upwards from a height above the ground.
4. D thrown vertically downwards from a height above the ground.
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Choose the correct optionUpwards is negative on this graph: the velocity starts at a negative value $v_{i}$ , becomes zero at time t (top of the motion) and then grows in the positive (downward) direction. So the ball was thrown UPWARDS.
  
  It takes t to go up and only t to come back down to its starting point (at 2t). It then keeps falling until 3t, so it lands BELOW the point where it was thrown: it was thrown from a height above the ground.
  
  Answer: C
  2 marks · Describe motion from graphs or words
4. Question 1.2 · May/June 2023 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 2 marks
Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Each question has only ONE correct answer.
1.2 A ball is dropped from rest at a height above a concrete floor. The ball strikes the floor and bounces vertically up and down on the same spot on the floor.

The velocity-time graph for the bouncing ball is shown below, with points P, Q, R and S representing different times during the motion.

Ignore the effects of air resistance.

At which time does the ball reach its maximum height after the first upward bounce?(2)
1. A P
2. B Q
3. C R
4. D S
Show the memo (1 tick)Memo
1. ✓
  Correct optionDownward is positive on this graph: the ball falls with increasing positive velocity until it hits the floor at P, then bounces up with a negative velocity. While it moves up its speed decreases until the velocity is zero at Q. Zero velocity after the bounce means the ball is at its maximum height, so the answer is Q. R is the second bounce on the floor and S is the top after the second bounce.
  
  Answer: B
  2 marks · Describe motion from graphs or words
5. Question 3.4 · May/June 2024 · Paper 1 · National (DBE) · 4 marks
A hot-air balloon moves vertically downwards at a constant velocity of $3, 4$ m·s $^{- 1}$ . When the balloon is $15$ m above the ground, a small ball is dropped from the balloon. Refer to the diagram below.

The ball strikes the ground and bounces vertically upwards. The hot-air balloon continues to move downwards at the same constant velocity.

Ignore the effects of air friction acting on the ball.
The ball was in contact with the ground for $0, 2$ s and left the ground with a vertical upward velocity of $7, 2$ m·s $^{- 1}$ .
3.4 Use only EQUATIONS OF MOTION to calculate the value of $t_{3}$ indicated on the graph.(4)
Show the memo (4 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Formula for $Δ t$ Upwards as positive:
  $v_{f} = v_{i} + a Δ t$
  1 mark · Use equations of motion for projectiles
2. ✓
  Substitution $0 = 7, 2 + (- 9, 8) Δ t$
  $Δ t = 0, 73$ s
  1 mark · Use equations of motion for projectiles
3. ✓
  Addition of three time values $t_{3} = 1, 44 + 0, 2 + 0, 73$
  1 mark · Describe motion from graphs or words
4. ✓
  Final answer $t_{3} = 2, 37$ s (2,38)
  1 mark · Describe motion from graphs or words
6. Question 5.1.2 · November 2023 · Paper 1 · Provincial · 2 marks
5.1 The velocity versus time graph below illustrates the motion of an object that is initially travelling east. At $t = 0$ s, the position of the object is zero.

Answer the questions that follow.
5.1.2 Describe the motion of the object between interval A – B.(2)
Show the memo (2 ticks)Memo
1. ✓
  Constant velocityThe object moves at constant velocity
  1 mark · Describe motion from graphs or words
2. ✓
  Value and directionof $10$ m·s $^{- 1}$ east.
  1 mark · Describe motion from graphs or words

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