Distance-Time Graphs
Distance-Time Graphs
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If an object moves along a straight line, the distance it travels can be represented by a DISTANCE-TIME graph.
The GRADIENT (steepness) of the line tells you the SPEED of the object. The STEEPER the line, the GREATER the speed.
Different features on a distance-time graph can tell you different information about how an object is travelling.
Let’s use this information to describe the motion of an object with the following distance-time graph:
A STRAIGHT LINE means the object is travelling at a CONSTANT SPEED. You can calculate the speed by using the equation:
Speed = Distance/Time = 40/2 = 20m/s
A FLAT HORIZONTAL line means the object is STATIONARY for 1s.
The CURVED line is getting STEEPER, which means the GRADIENT is INCREASING.
This means the SPEED is INCREASING, so the object is ACCELERATING.
The CURVED line is getting LESS STEEP, which means the GRADIENT is DECREASING.
This means the SPEED is DECREASING, so the object is DECELERATING.
The STRAIGHT LINE means the object is travelling at a CONSTANT SPEED. You can calculate the speed by using the equation:
Speed = Distance/Time = 120/(11-8) = 40m/s
The fact that the line goes DOWNWARDS, tells you the object is travelling back to a distance of 0, which means it's travelling BACKWARDS to return to its starting position.
CURVED LINES on distance-time graphs mean the object is ACCELERATING or DECELERATING.
You can work out its SPEED at a particular time by drawing a TANGENT and finding its GRADIENT.
This graph shows an object DECELERATING. You can find the SPEED at 3s by drawing a TANGENT at 3s and finding its GRADIENT.
If an object moves along a straight line, the distance it travels can be represented by a DISTANCE-TIME graph.
The GRADIENT (steepness) of the line tells you the SPEED of the object. The STEEPER the line, the GREATER the speed.
Different features on a distance-time graph can tell you different information about how an object is travelling.
Let’s use this information to describe the motion of an object with the following distance-time graph:
A STRAIGHT LINE means the object is travelling at a CONSTANT SPEED. You can calculate the speed by using the equation:
Speed = Distance/Time = 40/2 = 20m/s
A FLAT HORIZONTAL line means the object is STATIONARY for 1s.
The CURVED line is getting STEEPER, which means the GRADIENT is INCREASING.
This means the SPEED is INCREASING, so the object is ACCELERATING.
The CURVED line is getting LESS STEEP, which means the GRADIENT is DECREASING.
This means the SPEED is DECREASING, so the object is DECELERATING.
The STRAIGHT LINE means the object is travelling at a CONSTANT SPEED. You can calculate the speed by using the equation:
Speed = Distance/Time = 120/(11-8) = 40m/s
The fact that the line goes DOWNWARDS, tells you the object is travelling back to a distance of 0, which means it's travelling BACKWARDS to return to its starting position.
CURVED LINES on distance-time graphs mean the object is ACCELERATING or DECELERATING.
You can work out its SPEED at a particular time by drawing a TANGENT and finding its GRADIENT.
This graph shows an object DECELERATING. You can find the SPEED at 3s by drawing a TANGENT at 3s and finding its GRADIENT.
