velocity graphs

• What do distance-time graphs show?

  How the distance of an object varies over time
• What do velocity-time graphs show?

  How an object's velocity changes over time
• Why is it easy to confuse distance-time graphs with velocity-time graphs?

  Because both graphs look similar
• What is plotted on the y-axis of a velocity-time graph?

  Velocity
• What is plotted on the x-axis of a velocity-time graph?

  Time
• How do you find the gradient of the curve on a velocity-time graph?

  By calculating the change in velocity over the change in time
• What does the gradient of a velocity-time graph represent?

  The acceleration of the object
• What does a constant positive gradient on a velocity-time graph indicate?

  The object is experiencing a constant acceleration
• What does a constant negative gradient on a velocity-time graph indicate?

  The object is experiencing constant deceleration
• If the change in velocity is 3 m/s and the change in time is 2 s, what is the acceleration?

  $1.5 \text{ m/s}^2$
• What does a flat section of the curve on a velocity-time graph indicate?

  The object is moving at a constant velocity
• How do you find the velocity during flat sections of a velocity-time graph?

  By looking at the y-axis
• What is the velocity during the second stage if it is constant at 3 m/s?


  3 m/s
• What is the velocity during the fourth stage if it is constant at 5 m/s?

  5 m/s
• What does a steeper curve in a velocity-time graph indicate?

  The rate of acceleration is increasing
• How do you find the distance traveled using a velocity-time graph?

  • Find the area under the curve
  • Split the area into shapes (triangles and rectangles)
  • Use formulas to calculate the area of each shape
• What is the formula for the area of a triangle?

  Area = \frac{1}{2} \times \text{base} \times \text{height}
• If the base of a triangle is 2 seconds and the height is 3 m/s, what is the area?

  3 meters
• How do you calculate the area of a rectangle on a velocity-time graph?

  By multiplying base by height
• If the base of a rectangle is 2 seconds and the height is 3 m/s, what is the area?

  6 meters
• What is the total distance traveled during the first four seconds if the areas calculated are 3 meters and 6 meters?

  9 meters
• Why do we leave the answer for distance traveled in meters instead of meters squared?

  Because we are finding the distance traveled
• How can you estimate the area under curved parts of the graph?

  By counting the number of squares under that section of the graph
• If each square in the grid represents one meter of distance, how many squares are there under the curved section if there are six full squares and two half squares?

  Almost eight squares
• What is the total distance traveled over the two seconds if the area under the curved section is almost eight squares?

  Approximately eight meters
• What should you do if you enjoyed the video?

  • Tell your friends
  • Tell your teachers
  • Share the information