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 of the line

  Equal to the change in distance divided by the change in time, which is the formula for 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
• On a straight line, speed can be calculated by dividing the change in distance by the change in time
• If the point lies on a curve, you need to draw a tangent to the curve at that point and calculate the gradient of the tangent to find the speed