Motion Graphs: Lines and Slopes

• What information is shown on the vertical and horizontal axes of a distance-time graph?

  The vertical axis shows distance (in metres, kilometres, miles etc.) and the horizontal axis shows time (in seconds, minutes, hours etc.)
• How does the graph show the difference between acceleration, constant speed, and deceleration?

  • Acceleration is represented by the positive gradient (slope)
  • Constant speed is represented by the flat (horizontal) portion
  • Deceleration is represented by the negative gradient (slope)
• How can you interpret motion from a distance-time graph?

  • Stationary Body: Horizontal line indicates the object is not moving.
  • Uniform Motion: Straight, diagonal line signifies constant speed.
  • Non-Uniform Motion (speed increasing): Curve with increasing slope means acceleration.
  • Non-Uniform Motion (speed decreasing): Curve with decreasing slope represents deceleration.
• What does a distance-time graph plot on its axes?

  Distance against time
• What is velocity?

  How quickly distance changes over time
• How does the steepness of the straight lines on a distance-time graph relate to the speed of the object?

  The steeper the gradient, the faster the object is travelling
• What does the area under the curve represent?

  • The distance travelled
• What is the meaning of the gradient (slope) of the graph?

  Acceleration
• How can velocity be defined mathematically?

  Velocity = Distance ÷ Time
• How can you interpret the motion of an object from a distance-time graph?

  • Constant speed: Straight line with constant gradient
  • Stationary: Horizontal line with no change in distance
  • Accelerating/Decelerating: Curved line with changing gradient
• What are the different types of motion represented on a distance-time graph?

  • Stationary: Flat line (zero slope)
  • Uniform: Straight diagonal
  • Increasing speed: Upward curve
  • Decreasing speed: Downward curve
• What does a flat line on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Stationary motion
• How can you determine the speed from a distance-time graph?

  You need to find the gradient (slope) of the straight lines on the graph
• What does the gradient of a straight line on a distance-time graph represent?

  The speed of motion
• How does the shape of the graph provide information about the motion?

  • The shape of the graph shows the changes in velocity over time
  • The flat portions indicate constant velocity
  • The sloped portions indicate acceleration or deceleration
  • The area under the curve represents the distance travelled
• How can you calculate the speed of an object from a distance-time graph?

  • Find the gradient (slope) of the straight line segments
  • The gradient gives the speed of the object (distance/time)
• What units can the vertical axis of a distance-time graph be in?

  km, m, miles, etc.
• What does a velocity-time graph plot?

  Velocity against time
• What is the constant speed represented by the flat portion of the graph?

  Constant speed
• What does the area under the curve of a velocity-time graph represent?

  Distance traveled during that time period
• What do slanted lines on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Movement
• What are the key features of a distance-time graph?

  • Vertical axis shows distance (m, km, miles, etc.)
  • Horizontal axis shows time (s, min, hours, etc.)
  • Straight lines represent constant speeds
  • Steepness of lines indicates speed (steeper = faster)
• What does a positive gradient indicate on a velocity-time graph?

  It indicates acceleration
• How does the steepness of the lines on a distance-time graph relate to the speed of the object?

  • The steeper the gradient of the line, the faster the object is travelling
  • Shallow gradients indicate slower speeds, steep gradients indicate faster speeds
• What does the negative gradient (slope) of the graph represent?

  Deceleration
• What do horizontal lines on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Stationary periods
• What kind of motion does a curve with decreasing slope on a distance-time graph represent?

  Non-uniform motion, speed decreases
• What are distance-time graphs?

  Graphs that show the distance an object or person has travelled against time
• What are the key features of a velocity-time graph?

  • Positive gradient means acceleration
  • Horizontal line shows constant velocity
  • Negative gradient means deceleration
• How do distance-time and velocity-time graphs relate to changes in motion?

  • Distance-time graph shows speed through its gradient.
  • Velocity-time graph shows acceleration (positive gradient) and deceleration (negative gradient).
• How does a velocity-time graph differ from a distance-time graph?

  It shows how velocity changes over time
• What does a straight diagonal line on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Uniform motion
• What does an upward curve on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Increasing speed
• Why is the area under the curve important in a velocity-time graph?

  It represents the distance traveled
• What does a downward curve on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Decreasing speed
• What does a horizontal line represent on a velocity-time graph?

  Constant velocity
• What are the key features of distance-time graphs?

  1. Horizontal lines show stationary periods
  2. Slanted lines indicate movement
  3. Steeper slopes mean faster speeds
  4. Vertical axis can be in km, m, miles, etc.
• What kind of motion does a horizontal line on a distance-time graph represent?

  Stationary body
• What does a steeper slope on a distance-time graph indicate?

  Faster speeds
• What does a negative gradient indicate on a velocity-time graph?

  It indicates deceleration