Velocity-time Graphs (Distance Travelled)

Velocity-time Graphs (Distance Travelled)

Understanding Velocity-time Graphs

• A velocity-time graph displays how the velocity of an object changes over time.
• The gradient on a velocity-time graph represents the acceleration of the object.
• A horizontal line on a velocity-time graph indicates that the object is moving at a constant velocity.

How to Calculate Distance from a Velocity-time Graph

• The area under the graph depicts the distance travelled by the object.
• For velocity-time graphs where acceleration is constant and the graph forms a rectangle and triangle, the area can be calculated using formulas for these shapes.
• For irregular velocity-time graphs, the area (and thus the distance) can be computed using integral calculus.

Understanding Negative Velocity and Negative Acceleration

• A negative velocity means that the object is moving in the opposite direction.
• Negative acceleration (deceleration) means velocity is decreasing. On a graph, deceleration is shown by a downward sloping line.