Explore the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration
Drag the person along the track and watch position, velocity and acceleration graphs build. Free, no signup, runs in your browser.
- Free to use
- No signup
- Nothing to install
- Runs in your browser
Illustration. Open the tool for the real thing.
See it in action
The Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration?
Drag the person along the track and watch position, velocity and acceleration graphs build. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Motion graphs are used to analyse sports performance, vehicle tests, robot paths and any data recorded over time.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Velocity is the slope of the position-time graph.
Acceleration is the slope of the velocity-time graph.
A steady velocity gives a straight position graph and zero acceleration.
Drag the man at a steady pace and look at the velocity graph.
Speed up steadily and watch acceleration appear.
Use Set velocity to make him walk by himself.
Used for
Pick one to see how it fits.
Physics learners
Physics students in middle school, high school and first-year university, teachers who want a quick demonstration for the projector, and anyone revising for exams.
Try it freeTeachers
For teachers: project the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Speed up steadily and watch acceleration appear. For students: change one thing at a time and write down what changes.
Try it freeHow it compares
A plain look at this tool next to the usual alternative.
| This simulation | Textbook diagram | |
|---|---|---|
| Interactive | Drag, tap and change settings | Fixed picture |
| Install | Nothing to install | Not needed |
| Cost | Free to use | Depends on the book |
Questions people ask
How do you get velocity from a position graph?
Take the slope: velocity = change in position ÷ change in time. A steeper line means a faster speed.
What does a curved position graph mean?
The velocity is changing, so there is acceleration. The more it curves, the bigger the acceleration.
Is the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs free to use?
Yes. The Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs is free, needs no signup or download and runs in your web browser. It is part of the Physics group of AZRS simulations.
Does the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 2 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration?
1. In the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs, use the controls to change Velocity, Acceleration. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs, pick an option such as Drag him, Set velocity, Set acceleration to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs, press "Pause", "Clear graphs" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Drag the man at a steady pace and look at the velocity graph. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Moving Man: Position, Velocity & Acceleration Graphs responds in real time. 5. Change one setting at a time and watch which readout moves, then compare it with this idea: Velocity is the slope of the position-time graph.
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Drag the person along the track and watch position, velocity and acceleration graphs. Free to use.
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