Explore the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration
Drag a ladybug around, or let it move in a line, circle or ellipse, and see its velocity and acceleration arrows change live.
- 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 Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration with sample data entered and the result showing.
What is the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration?
Drag a ladybug around, or let it move in a line, circle or ellipse, and see its velocity and acceleration arrows change live. It runs in your browser, so a change to a setting or a drag on an object shows up at once.
Engineers use these ideas to design roller coasters, race tracks, satellites and robot paths, and sports scientists track athletes the same way.
3 steps to your result
Open the tool and follow along. Nothing to install.
What you get
Velocity is the rate of change of position and it points the way the object is moving.
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, so anything that speeds up, slows down or turns is accelerating.
In uniform circular motion the speed is constant but the acceleration is not zero: it points to the center.
Drag the ladybug in a slow circle and watch the blue acceleration arrow.
Switch to Circle and double the angular speed. How does the acceleration change?
Use Line mode: why is the acceleration zero except at the bounces?
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 Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors on the board, let students predict the result, then run it together and test this: Switch to Circle and double the angular speed. How does the acceleration change?. 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
Why does something moving in a circle at constant speed accelerate?
Acceleration means the velocity vector changes, and the direction of the velocity keeps changing as it goes around, so there is an acceleration toward the center.
How do you find velocity from a path?
Velocity is the change in position divided by the change in time. The simulation measures it from the ladybug's motion.
Is the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors free to use?
Yes. The Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors 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 Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors work on a phone or tablet?
Yes. The Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors takes touch input as well as mouse input, so you can use its 6 adjustable settings with a finger. A larger screen makes the controls and graphs easier to read.
How do I use the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration?
1. In the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors, use the controls to change Path, Speed (line), Radius, Angular speed, Arrows, and more. The simulation reacts instantly. 2. In the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors, pick an option such as Manual (drag), Line, Circle, Ellipse to switch modes or load an example. 3. In the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors, press "Clear trail" to start, reset or change what is happening. 4. Start with this experiment: Drag the ladybug in a slow circle and watch the blue acceleration arrow. Drag any glowing handle, object or slider with your mouse or finger and the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration Vectors 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 rate of change of position and it points the way the object is moving.
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Try the Ladybug Motion 2D: Velocity & Acceleration now
Drag a ladybug around, or let it move in a line, circle or ellipse, and see its velocity. Free to use.
Try it free