Velocity-time Graphs

• What do velocity time graphs show us?

  Velocity-time graphs show us how an objects velocity changes over time
• What does the gradient on a velocity-time graph tell you?

  Acceleration (acceleration=change in velocity/change in time)
• What does a constant positive gradient on a velocity-time graph show you?

  constant positive gradient = constant acceleration
• What does a constant negative gradient on a velocity-time graph show you?


  constant negative gradient = constant deceleration
• What does a flat line on a velocity-time graph show you?

  A flat line shows constant velocity
• How do you work out the constant velocity on a velocity-time graph?

  Look at the y axis and the number that the flat line is on is the velocity
• What does it mean if a line on a velocity-time graph gets steeper and what does it mean if it gets less steep (goes down)?

  • Steeper: Increase in the rate of acceleration.
  • Less steep: Decrease in the rate of acceleration or deceleration.
• How do you find the distance travelled on a velocity-time graph?

  You find the area under the curve (line)
• How do you find the distance travelled under a curved line?

  To find the distance travelled under the curved part of the line, you must estimate the area underneath by counting the number of squares underneath the curve (in science the graph is given on a square-by-square grid)