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Understanding Distance-Time Graphs

What You Should Understand

1. Purpose of a Distance-Time Graph:

o A distance-time graph shows how far an object (or person) travels over a period of
time.

o The x-axis typically represents time, and the y-axis represents distance.

o The graph helps us calculate speed, which is how fast something is moving.

2. Key Concept - Slope (Gradient) of the Line:

o The slope (or steepness) of the line on a distance-time graph tells us the speed.

o A steeper slope means higher speed; a flat (horizontal) line means no movement
(speed = 0).

3. Units Matter:

o Always check the units on the axes (e.g., distance in kilometers or meters, time in
minutes or hours).

o The units of speed depend on the units of distance and time (e.g., km/hr, m/s).

4. Interpreting the Graph:

o A straight line going up = constant speed.

o A horizontal line = no movement (object is stationary).

o A line going down = returning toward the starting point.

5. Breaking Down a Journey:

o A journey may have multiple parts (e.g., traveling, stopping, returning). Each part
corresponds to a section of the graph.

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Key Formulas

1. Speed Formula:

o Speed = Distance / Time

▪ Units: If distance is in kilometers (km) and time is in hours (hr), speed is in

km/hr.

▪ If time is in minutes, convert it to hours (if needed) by dividing by 60 (e.g., 30

minutes = 0.5 hours).

2. Distance Formula:

o Distance = Speed × Time

▪ Use this to find distance if speed and time are given.

3. Time Formula:

o Time = Distance / Speed

▪ Use this to find how long a part of the journey takes.

Key Observations from the Graph

• Upward Slope: Moving away from home (speed = +40 km/hr).

• Flat Line: Stopped (speed = 0).
• Downward Slope: Returning home (speed = -60 km/hr).

Additional Concepts Discussed

1. Converting Units:

o If time is in minutes but speed is needed in km/hr, convert minutes to hours (e.g., 15
minutes = 0.25 hours).

2. Reading the Graph:

o Look at the axes: Check if time is in minutes, seconds, or hours; distance in km, m, or
cm.

o Identify segments: Where does the person move, stop, or return?

3. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

o Forgetting to convert units (e.g., using minutes instead of hours for speed in km/hr).

o Misreading the graph (e.g., confusing distance traveled with time spent stationary).

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REFERENCE NUMERICAL

calculating speed from distance time graph | solved numericals

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Understanding Velocity-Time Graphs

What You Should Understand

1. Purpose of a Velocity-Time Graph:

o A velocity-time graph shows how an object’s velocity (speed in a specific direction)

changes over time.

o The x-axis represents time (e.g., seconds), and the y-axis represents velocity (e.g.,
meters per second, m/s).

o It helps us calculate acceleration (rate of change of velocity) and displacement

(distance traveled in a direction).

2. Key Concept - Slope (Gradient) of the Line:

o The slope of the line on a velocity-time graph represents acceleration.

o A positive slope = increasing velocity (positive acceleration).

o A negative slope = decreasing velocity (negative acceleration or deceleration).

o A flat (horizontal) line = constant velocity (acceleration = 0).

3. Key Concept - Area Under the Curve:

o The area under the curve (or line) on a velocity-time graph represents displacement
(distance traveled in a direction).

o The shape of the area (e.g., rectangle, triangle, trapezium) determines how you
calculate it.

4. Units:

o Velocity: meters per second (m/s).

o Time: seconds (s).

o Acceleration: meters per second squared (m/s² or ms⁻²).

o Displacement: meters (m).

o Always ensure units match when calculating.

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5. Interpreting the Graph:

o Straight line upward = constant positive acceleration.

o Straight line downward = constant negative acceleration.

o Horizontal line = constant velocity (no acceleration).

o Curved line = changing acceleration (not covered here).

Key Formulas

1. Acceleration Formula:

o Acceleration (a) = (Final Velocity - Initial Velocity) / Time

▪ a=v−ut

▪ v v v = final velocity (m/s), u u u = initial velocity (m/s), t t t = time (s).

▪ Units: m/s².

2. Displacement from Area:

o Displacement = Area under the velocity-time graph.

▪ For a rectangle: Displacement=Velocity×Time

▪ For a triangle: Displacement=1/2×Base×Height

▪ For a trapezium: Displacement=1/2×(Base1+Base2)×Height

3. Velocity at a Point:

o Read the velocity directly from the y-axis at a specific time on the x-axis.

Key Observations from the Graph

• Positive Slope: Velocity increasing (positive acceleration, e.g., 0.8 m/s²).

• Flat Line: Constant velocity (acceleration = 0).

• Area: Represents displacement (e.g., 90 m, 100 m)

Additional Concepts Discussed

1. Vectors vs. Scalars:

o Velocity is a vector (has direction); time is a scalar (no direction).

o Acceleration (vector) = Velocity (vector) / Time (scalar).

2. Negative Slope:

o A downward slope means deceleration (negative acceleration).

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3. Common Mistakes to Avoid:

o Confusing slope (acceleration) with area (displacement).

o Forgetting units (e.g., m/s² for acceleration).

o Misreading the graph scale (e.g., estimating velocity incorrectly).

Questions for You (Student) to Reflect On

1. What does a horizontal line on a velocity-time graph tell you about acceleration?

2. How would you find displacement if the graph has both a triangle and a rectangle?

3. Why is acceleration’s unit m/s² and not m/s?

Summary

• Core Idea: Slope of a velocity-time graph = acceleration a=v−ut ; area under the graph =
displacement.

• Steps: Check units, identify slope for acceleration, calculate area for displacement.

• Practice: Sketch a velocity-time graph and compute acceleration and displacement for each
segment.

EXAMPLE:

f inding acceleration , displacement from velocity time graphs | + - 0 acceleration cases

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