Motion graphs

• What type of graphs can represent the motion of objects?

  Graphs of distance against time
• What is plotted on the y-axis of a distance-time graph?

  Distance
• How is a stationary object represented in a distance-time graph?

  • By a horizontal straight line
• What is plotted on the x-axis of a distance-time graph?

  Time
• How is an object moving at constant speed represented in a distance-time graph?

  • By a straight line with a constant gradient
• How can speed be calculated from a distance-time graph?

  By calculating the gradient of the line
• What is the formula for gradient in a distance-time graph?

  $\text{gradient} =$$\frac{\text{distance travelled}}{\text{time taken}} =$$\text{speed}$
• What is the relationship between displacement and time in a displacement-time graph?

  • Displacement is plotted on the y-axis
  • Time is plotted on the x-axis
• What is the formula for gradient in a displacement-time graph?

  $\text{gradient} =$$\frac{\text{displacement}}{\text{time taken}} =$$\text{velocity}$
• What does a straight line with a constant gradient represent in a displacement-time graph?

  • An object moving at constant velocity
• What is not given in the exam regarding the gradient formulas?

  They are not given in the exam