Distance/time graphs Flashcards
What are graphs used for, and what is an example of this?
Scientists use graphs to describe how two variables are related, such as the movement of an object.
How can you make a graph to describe the movement of an object?
You can make a graph to describe the movement of an object by plotting a measure of distance on the y-axis (vertical), and a measure of time on the x-axis (horizontal).
What is a distance/time graph?
A distance-time graph is a way to represent the movement of an object over time, using a line or curve.
What does the gradient of the graph represent?
The gradient (slope) of the graph shows the speed of the object.
Why are graphs more useful for describing movement, than words?
Graphs are more useful than words for describing movement because:
1. it is easier to see trends and patterns
2. you can read any value of distance or time during the journey, trom the graph
3. other values, such as speed, can be calculated from the graph
4. information about the whole journey can be seen easily.
How is constant speed shown on a distance/time graph?
A distance/time graph shows constant speed, meaning the object travels the same distance each second, as a straight, upward sloping line.
What does it mean when the time/distance graph has a straight line that is horizontal?
When the time/distance graph shows a straight line that is horizontal, it means that the object is stationary(or at rest), which means that it is not moving, with a speed of zero, and that distance does not change with time.
How is a faster constant speed shown on a time/distance graph?
An object moves at faster constant speed, meaning that it travels a greater distance each second and overs more distance in the same time, is shown by a distance/time graph as a steeper, straight, upward sloping line.
What does a downward sloping line represent on a time/distance graph?
The distance/time graph shows a decrease in distance over time(at a constant speed) as a straight, downward sloping line.
What does a distance/time graph being a sketch indicate?
Some distance/time graph are sketches, in which you you do not have to put numbers on the graph axes.
What do stationary and at rest mean(both mean the same thing)?
Both stationary and at rest mean not moving.
How can you use a time/distance graph with values on it to make calculations?
Sometimes, distance/time graphs have values on the axes from which make calculations by reading the distance from the vertical axis, and the time from the horizontal axis and using the equation of speed.(speed=distance over time)
