Velocity-Time Graphs

• Velocity-Time Graphs


  A way of representing journeys by plotting how an object's velocity changes as it travels
• Velocity-Time Graphs


  • Gradient represents acceleration, since acceleration is change in velocity over time
  • Flat sections represent travelling at a steady speed
  • Steeper graph means greater acceleration or deceleration
  • Uphill sections are acceleration, downhill sections are deceleration, curved sections mean changing acceleration
  • The area under the graph is equal to the distance travelled in that time interval
• Finding acceleration from a Velocity-Time Graph

  Draw a tangent to the curve at a point to find the acceleration at that point
• Finding distance travelled from a Velocity-Time Graph

  1. Split the area into shapes like triangles and rectangles, then add their areas

  2. Find the value of one square, count the total number of squares under the line, and multiply these two values
• The gradient of a velocity-time graph gives the acceleration