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Interpreting Speed-Time Graphs

The document discusses interpreting speed-time graphs and calculating acceleration from the graphs. It explains that a change in speed indicates acceleration and describes what constant, increasing, and decreasing acceleration would look like on a graph. It also provides an example of using a speed-time graph to find the largest acceleration and to calculate acceleration between two points using the graph's gradient.

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jadibe4138
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114 views7 pages

Interpreting Speed-Time Graphs

The document discusses interpreting speed-time graphs and calculating acceleration from the graphs. It explains that a change in speed indicates acceleration and describes what constant, increasing, and decreasing acceleration would look like on a graph. It also provides an example of using a speed-time graph to find the largest acceleration and to calculate acceleration between two points using the graph's gradient.

Uploaded by

jadibe4138
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Interpreting Speed-Time graphs

EXTENDED

 If there is a change in an object's speed, then it is accelerating

 An object may accelerate at a steady rate, this is called constant acceleration


o On a speed-time graph this will be a non-horizontal straight line

 An object may accelerate at an increasing rate


o On a speed-time graph this would be an upward curve with an increasing
gradient
 An object may accelerate at a decreasing rate
o On a speed-time graph this would be an upward curve with a decreasing
gradient
 An object is said to decelerate if its speed is decreasing over time, i.e. its acceleration is
negative
o On a speed-time graph this would be a downward line
 If the line is a non-horizontal straight line, deceleration is constant
 If the line is a curve with an increasing gradient, deceleration is
increasing
 If the line is a curve with a decreasing gradient, deceleration is
decreasing

Calculating Acceleration
 The acceleration of an object can be calculated from the gradient of a speed-time graph
How to find the gradient of a speed-time graph

Worked example

Tora is training for a cycling tournament.

The speed-time graph below shows her motion as she cycles along a flat, straight road.
(a) In which section (A, B, C, D, or E) of the speed-time graph is Tora’s acceleration the largest?

(b) Calculate Tora’s acceleration between 5 and 10 seconds.

Part (a)

Step 1: Recall that the slope of a speed-time graph represents the magnitude of acceleration


o The slope of a speed-time graph indicates the magnitude of acceleration

Therefore, the only sections of the graph where Tora is accelerating is section B
and section D

o Sections A, C, and E are flat – in other words, Tora is moving at a constant speed
(i.e. not accelerating)

Step 2: Identify the section with the steepest slope


o Section D of the graph has the steepest slope
Hence, the largest acceleration is shown in section D

Part (b)

Step 1: Recall that the gradient of a speed-time graph gives the acceleration


o Calculating the gradient of a slope on a speed-time graph gives the acceleration
for that time period

Step 2: Draw a large gradient triangle at the appropriate section of the graph


o A gradient triangle is drawn for the time period between 5 and 10 seconds below:

Step 3: Calculate the size of the gradient and state this as the acceleration


o The acceleration is given by the gradient, which can be calculated using:

acceleration = gradient = 5 ÷ 5 = 1 m/s2



o Therefore, Tora accelerated at 1 m/s2 between 5 and 10 seconds

Exam Tip

Use the entire slope, where possible, to calculate the gradient. Examiners tend to award credit if
they see a large gradient triangle used - so remember to draw 'rise' and 'run' lines directly on
the graph itself!

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