Distance- time graphs (Edexcel GCSE Physics): Revision Notes
📚 Revision Notes
Distance-time graphs
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Distance-time graphs show how far an object travels over a certain period of time.
- The x-axis always represents time in seconds (s).
- The y-axis represents distance in metres (m).
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Characteristics of Distance-Time Graphs Summary.
- Steeper line = faster speed
- Flat line = stationary object (gradient is 0)
- Steepening curve = acceleration
- Flattening curve = deceleration
Gradient (Slope)
The gradient of the line on a distance-time graph tells us the speed of the object. The steeper the line, the faster the object is moving.
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To calculate the gradient and find the speed at different points:
Where:
- ΔD is the change in distance,
- ΔT is the change in time. The delta symbol (Δ) means change, so in this case, it's the change in distance divided by the change in time.