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Distance-Time Graphs Velocity-Time Graphs

Physics

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missjeon65
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5 views

Distance-Time Graphs Velocity-Time Graphs

Physics

Uploaded by

missjeon65
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distance-time graphs

If an object moves along a straight line, the distance travelled can be represented by a distance-
time graph.

In a distance-time graph, the gradient of the line is equal to the speed of the object. The
greater the gradient (and the steeper the line) the faster the object is moving.

Example
Calculate the speed of the object represented by the green line in the graph, from 0 to 4 s.

change in distance = (8 - 0) = 8 m

change in time = (4 - 0) = 4 s

speed=distance ÷ time

speed=8÷4

speed=2 m/s
The speed of an object can be calculated from the gradient of a distance-time graph.

Distance-time graphs for accelerating objects - Higher


If the speed of an object changes, it will be accelerating or decelerating. This can be shown as a
curved line on a distance-time graph.

The table shows what each section of the graph represents:

Section of graph Gradient Speed

A Increasing Increasing

B Constant Constant

C Decreasing Decreasing

D Zero Stationary (at rest)


If an object is accelerating or decelerating, its speed can be calculated at any particular time by:

• drawing a tangent to the curve at that time


• measuring the gradient of the tangent

As the diagram shows, after drawing the tangent, work out the change in distance (A) and the
change in time (B).

gradient = vertical change(A) ÷ horizontal change(B)

It should also be noted that an object moving at a constant speed but changing direction
continually is also accelerating. Velocity, a vector quantity, changes if either the magnitude or
the direction changes. This is important when dealing with circular motion.
Velocity-time graphs
Determining acceleration
If an object moves along a straight line, its motion can be represented by a velocity-time graph.
The gradient of the line is equal to the acceleration of the object.

The table shows what each section of the graph represents:

Section of graph Gradient Velocity Acceleration

A Positive Increasing Positive

B Zero Constant Zero

C Negative Decreasing Negative

D (v = 0) Zero Stationary (at rest) Zero


Calculating displacement - higher
The displacement of an object can be calculated from the area under a velocity-time graph.
The area under the graph can be calculated by:

• using geometry (if the lines are straight)


• counting the squares beneath the line (particularly if the lines are curved)
Example
Calculate the total displacement of the object, whose motion is represented by the velocity-time
graph below.

Here, the displacement can be found by calculating the total area of the shaded sections below
the line.

Find the area of the triangle:

1/2×base×height

1/2×4×8=16
The area of the triangle is 16 m2

Find the area of the rectangle:

base × height

(10 - 4) × 8 = 48

The area of the rectangle is 48 m2

Add the areas together to find the total displacement:

(16 + 48) = 64

Total displacement = 64 m

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