5.9 - Distance-time Graphs Flashcards
(14 cards)
The gradient of a distance / time graph tells us:
tells us the speed of the object.
What does a flat line on a distance / time graph tell us about the movement of an object?
A flat (horizontal) line on a distance/time graph means the object is stationary — it’s not moving, and the distance stays the same over time.
On the graph above, what does the slope
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tell us about the movement of the object?
that its speed is constant
On the graph above, what does the slope
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tell us about the movement of the object?
that the object is stationary
What does the y-axis represent on a distance-time graph
Distance (meters, kilometers, etc.)
What does the x-axis represent on a distance-time graph?
Time (seconds, minutes, hours)
What does a horizontal line on a distance-time graph mean?
The object is stationary (not moving).
What does a straight, sloping line on a distance-time graph represent?
Constant speed.
How do you calculate speed from a distance-time graph?
Speed = gradient (change in distance ÷ change in time).
What does a steeper slope on a distance-time graph indicate?
A faster speed.
What does a curved line on a distance-time graph mean?
The object is accelerating or decelerating (speed is changing).
Can the distance on a distance-time graph ever decrease?
No, because distance is always positive and cumulative.
What does the gradient of a flat (horizontal) line on a distance-time graph equal?
Zero (speed is zero, object is stationary).
If a distance-time graph shows a line getting less steep, what does that mean about the object’s speed?
The object is slowing down (decelerating).
