Distance-Time Graphs

• Distance time graphs

  Allow us to visualize how far something has traveled in a certain period of time
• Gradient of the line


  Tells you the speed that the object is traveling at that time
• Gradient = change in distance / change in time
• Gradient = speed
• Interpreting a distance time graph

  1. Straight lines represent constant speeds

  2. Flat lines mean stationary

  3. Curved lines represent changing speeds
• Calculating speed at a particular point on a curve


  1. Draw a tangent to the curve at that point

  2. Calculate the gradient of the tangent by dividing the change in distance by the change in time
• If the point lies on a straight line, calculate the gradient of the line by dividing the change in distance by the change in time