Motion Diagram Maker

What do the dots and arrows mean?

A motion diagram represents an object’s position at successive times. With equal time intervals, larger gaps between dots indicate greater speed. Velocity arrows add direction and relative speed; acceleration arrows represent change in velocity.

Use it before working with equations

The diagram helps students reason about motion before calculating it. It is particularly useful for distinguishing an object’s direction of travel from the direction of its acceleration.

Keep time and direction consistent

1. Use equal time intervals. Spacing only reveals relative speed directly when each pair of dots represents the same elapsed time.
2. Label positive direction. A clear coordinate convention prevents confusion about signs.
3. Distinguish the quantities. Position, velocity, and acceleration need different labels or visual treatment.
4. Keep vector scales consistent. Comparable arrows should use the same scale; label a drawing schematic if lengths are only illustrative.
5. Check slowing motion. When speed decreases in straight-line motion, acceleration points opposite the velocity.

Describe the motion for MyMap to draw

MyMap turns your scenario into a visual arrangement of positions and vectors. The example shows a particle accelerating to the right, with increasing dot spacing and longer velocity arrows. Ask for a contrasting slowing-down example to compare the patterns.