Velocity-Time Graphs – GCSE Physics A (Combined) OCR Revision

Velocity-time graphs demonstrate how an object’s speed or velocity changes over a period of time.
On these graphs, the horizontal axis (x-axis) represents time, while the vertical axis (y-axis) depicts velocity.
A horizontal line on the graph signifies the object is moving at a constant velocity.
A line that slopes upwards indicates that the object is accelerating, while a line that slopes downwards means the object is decelerating.
The steepness or gradient of the slope represents the rate of acceleration or deceleration - a steeper gradient signifies a higher rate of change in velocity.
Acceleration is calculated by the area under the graph line.

The object’s acceleration can be computed by examining the gradient of the line on the graph.
To calculate the gradient, divide the change in velocity by the change in time, a formula sometimes referred to as “rise over run”.
Velocity-time graphs with curved lines signify the object is undergoing changing acceleration.
The direction of the curve informs whether the object’s acceleration is increasing (upwards) or decreasing (downwards).
The steeper the curve, the greater the change in acceleration or deceleration.

Velocity-time graphs are instrumental in physics for illustrating the change of velocity (speed and direction) in an object over time.
They serve as crucial visual tools for comprehending and calculating changes in velocity, acceleration, and deceleration.
These graphs aid in understanding the relationship between velocity, time, and acceleration, which are key components in many physics problems related to forces and motion.