Distance/Time Graphs

Question 1

What does the gradient (slope) at any point give you?

Answer 1

The speed of the object.

Question 2

What do flat sections show?

Answer 2

Where the object has stopped.

Question 3

What does it mean if the graph is steeper?

Answer 3

The object is going faster.

Question 4

What do curves represent?

Answer 4

Acceleration.

Question 5

What does a curve getting steeper mean?

Answer 5

The object is speeding up.

Question 6

What does a leveling off curve mean?

Answer 6

The object is slowing down.

Question 7

What is the formula for the gradient?

Answer 7

Speed = Gradient = change in vertical ÷ change in horizontal

Question 8

If the graph is curved, how do you find the speed at a certain time?

Answer 8

Draw a tangent to the curve at that point, and then find the gradient of the tangent.