Distance time graphs

• The different parts of a distance time graph describe the motion of an object
• The gradient at any point of a distance time graph gives the speed of the object at that point:

  • Flat sections are where it has stopped moving
  • A steeper graph means it is going faster
  • Curves represent acceleratioon
• • A steepening curve means its speeding up (increasing gradient)
  • A levelling off curve means its slowing down (decreasing gradient)
• The gradient of a distance time graph at any point is equal to the speed of the object at that time
• If the graph is a straight line, the gradient at any point along the line is equal to:

  A) change in vertical

  B) change in horizonal

  
• If the graph is curved, to find the speed at that certain time you need to draw a tangent to curve at that point, and then find the gradient of the tangent
• A tangent is a line that is parallel to the curve at that point