Velocity-Time Graphs

• What do distance time graphs show?

  How distance varies over time
• What do velocity time graphs show?

  How velocity changes over time
• Why is it easy to confuse distance time graphs and velocity time graphs?

  They look very similar
• What is on the y-axis of a velocity time graph?

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

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

  Change in velocity over change in time
• What does the gradient of a velocity time graph represent?

  Acceleration
• What does a constant positive gradient indicate on a velocity time graph?

  Constant acceleration
• What does a constant negative gradient indicate on a velocity time graph?

  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 m/s²
• What does a flat section of the curve on a velocity time graph indicate?

  No acceleration, constant velocity
• What is the velocity during the flat section of the curve at 3 m/s?

  3 m/s
• What is the velocity during the flat section of the curve at 5 m/s?

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

  Increasing rate of acceleration
• How do you find the distance traveled from a velocity time graph?

  Find the area under the curve
• How can you calculate the area of a triangle on a velocity time graph?

  1/2 base times height
• What is the area of a triangle with a base of 2 seconds and height of 3 m/s?

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

  Base times height
• What is the area of a rectangle with a base of 2 seconds and height of 3 m/s?

  6 meters
• What is the total distance traveled during the first four seconds if the triangle area is 3 m and rectangle area is 6 m?

  9 meters
• Why is area under the curve given in meters instead of meters squared?

  It represents distance traveled
• How can you estimate the area under curved parts of the graph?

  Count the number of squares under the curve
• If each square in the grid equals one meter, how many squares are under the curved section if there are six full squares and two half squares?

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

  Around eight meters
• What are the key differences between distance time graphs and velocity time graphs?

  • Distance time graphs show distance vs. time
  • Velocity time graphs show velocity vs. time
  • Distance time graphs have distance on the y-axis
  • Velocity time graphs have velocity on the y-axis
• What are the steps to calculate the total distance traveled using a velocity time graph?

  1. Identify flat sections for constant velocity
  2. Calculate area of triangles and rectangles
  3. Sum the areas for total distance
  4. Estimate area under curves if necessary