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
• How do you calculate acceleration from a velocity time graph?

  By dividing change in velocity by change in time
• 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
• How do you find the velocity during flat sections of the curve?

  Look at the y-axis
• What is the velocity during the second stage if it is flat at 3 m/s?


  3 m/s
• What is the velocity during the fourth stage if it is flat 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?

  Calculate the area under the curve
• How can you simplify calculating the area under the curve?

  Split it into shapes like triangles and rectangles
• What is the formula for the area of a triangle?

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

  3 m
• What is the formula for the area of a rectangle?

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

  6 m
• What is the total distance traveled during the first four seconds?

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

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

  By counting 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 8 squares
• What is the total distance traveled over the two seconds if the area under the curve is almost 8 squares?

  Approximately 8 m
• 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 implications of different gradients on a velocity time graph?

  • Positive gradient: constant acceleration
  • Negative gradient: constant deceleration
  • Flat section: constant velocity
  • Steeper gradient: increasing acceleration
• How do you calculate total distance from a velocity time graph?

  1. Identify areas under the curve
  2. Calculate area of triangles and rectangles
  3. Sum the areas for total distance
• What is the significance of the area under the curve in a velocity time graph?

  • Represents total distance traveled
  • Calculated by finding areas of shapes
  • Important for understanding motion