5.4.8 Distance-Time Graphs

• What is a Distance-Time Graph?

  A graph that plots distance traveled against time.
• What does a Distance-Time Graph show?

  It shows how the distance of an object from a starting point changes as time progresses.
• What do the axes of a Distance-Time Graph represent?

  • X-Axis (Horizontal): Represents time (seconds).
  • Y-Axis (Vertical): Represents distance (meters).
• What does the slope of a Distance-Time Graph represent?

  The slope represents the speed of the object.
• What does a steeper slope on a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  A steeper slope indicates a higher speed.
• What does a flat line on a Distance-Time Graph indicate?


  A flat line indicates that the object is stationary (no change in distance).
• What does a straight line with a positive slope represent?

  The object is moving at a constant speed.
• What does a straight line with zero slope indicate?

  The object is at rest (constant distance).
• What does a curved line increasing on a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  The object is accelerating (speeding up).
• What does a curved line decreasing on a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  The object is decelerating (slowing down).
• What does a straight line sloping upwards in a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  • The object is moving at a constant speed.
  • The steeper the slope, the higher the speed.
• How do you calculate speed from a Distance-Time Graph?

  Speed = Change in Distance / Change in Time.
• If a line rises by 20 meters for every 5 seconds, what is the speed?

  The speed is 4 m/s.
• What does a horizontal line in a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  • The object is stationary.
  • The distance remains constant.
• How can you find instantaneous speed on a curve in a Distance-Time Graph?

  • Draw a tangent to the curve.
  • Calculate the slope of the tangent.
• What does a curve that gets steeper in a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  • The object is accelerating.
  • The speed is increasing.
• What does a curve that gets shallower in a Distance-Time Graph indicate?

  • The object is decelerating.
  • The speed is decreasing.
• What are the steps to create a Distance-Time Graph?

  1. Plot the distance on the y-axis.

  2. Plot the time on the x-axis using recorded data.
• How do you interpret a Distance-Time Graph?

  • Use the slope to determine the speed.
  • Analyze the shape to determine if the object is accelerating, decelerating, or moving at a constant speed.
• How can you compare multiple objects on a Distance-Time Graph?

  • Plot multiple lines on the same graph.
  • Compare the speeds and movements of different objects.
• What is the summary of a Distance-Time Graph?

  • Plots distance against time.
  • Slope represents speed: steeper slope means higher speed; flat line means stationary.
  • Straight lines indicate constant speed; curves show acceleration or deceleration.