P2.1.4 - Distance-time Graphs

Question 1

What does a graph of distance against time tell you?

Answer 1

The speed of an object on its journey

Question 2

What is speed represented by on the graph?

Answer 2

The gradient

Question 3

What does a straight diagonal line on the graph mean?

Answer 3

It means the object’s speed is constant because the gradient does not change

Question 4

What does a horizontal line mean on the graph?

Answer 4

It means the object is not moving

Question 5

What does a steep line mean on the graph?

Answer 5

The object is moving quickly

Question 6

How do you calculate speed from a distance time graph?

Answer 6

You draw a triangle under the line, and use it to calculate the change in distance and the change in time. Then you use the equation for speed

Question 7

What is the difference between a distance-time graph and a displacement-time graph?

Answer 7

The gradient can be positive, zero or negative in a displacement-time graph

Question 8

How do you calculate velocity from a graph?

Answer 8

You draw a right angled triangle from 2 points to each other. Find the change in displacement and change in time forum the graph. Then m you use the equation to find out velocity (change in displacement/time)