MODULE NO.

: 4 Teacher: Nelson Cossa

Subject: Physics / Gr8 DATE: Feb 21 – 25, 2022

International School Parent’s Signature:_______ Marks:_________/20

TOPIC: Distance – time and Speed – time graphs / Acceleration

Distance – Time graphs

A distance-time graph shows how the distance of an object (from a point) varies over time.

Observe the graphs below:

Figure 1: Distance – time graphs

 The A graph is flat (horizontal). It means that the distance of the object does not change
from its starting point (stationary). The slope is zero.

 The B graph slopes up. It means that the object is moving faster than the starting point at
constant speed.

 The C graph slopes down. It means that the object is moving slower than the starting point
at constant speed.

The average speed will be equal to the slope/gradient.

𝑠𝑓 − 𝑠0
𝑣=
𝑡𝑓 − 𝑡0

Where:
v – average speed
sf – final position
s0 – initial position
tf – final time
t0 – initial time
Another important physical quantity in motion is acceleration. Acceleration can be defined as
the change in velocity per unit of time. Velocity is speed in a given direction.

∆𝑣
𝑎=
∆𝑡

Speed/velocity – time graph

Speed/velocity – time graphs show us how the object is moving.

Figure 2: Velocity – time graph

The figure 2 is a typical example of velocity - time graphs. If we study the graph, we will see that
the graph is in four sections.

 The first one is a horizontal line on the time axis, which means velocity is zero and
constant.

 The second one is sloping upwards which means velocity is increasing and the object
accelerates constantly.

 The third one is another horizontal line which means constant velocity. At this point
acceleration is zero.

 The last one is sloping downwards which means velocity is decreasing and the object
decelerates constantly.
Distance is the area under speed/velocity – time graph.

Exercises

1. What information does the area under speed-time graph give you?

A. The average speed

B. The total acceleration
C. The distance travelled
D. The average acceleration

2. Which of the graphs below show an object which is moving with a constant speed?
3. The graph shows the journey undertaken by a car.

Which equation gives correctly the distance travelled by the car?

4. A runner accelerates from rest to 8.0 m/s in 2.0 s. What is his acceleration?
5. A runner accelerates from rest with an acceleration of 4.0 m/s in 2.3 s. What will her speed be
at the end of this time?