Steps of distance-time graph
Answers
Distance-time graphs for accelerating objects - Higher
If the speed of an object changes, it will be accelerating or decelerating. This can be shown as a curved line on a distance-time graph.
A graph to show distance travelled by time. A shows acceleration, B shows constant speed, C shows deceleration, and A shows stationary position. Three dotted lines separate each section.
The table shows what each section of the graph represents:
Section of graph Gradient Speed
A Increasing Increasing
B Constant Constant
C Decreasing Decreasing
D Zero Stationary (at rest)
If an object is accelerating or decelerating, its speed can be calculated at any particular time by:
drawing a tangent to the curve at that time
measuring the gradient of the tangent
A distance x time graph, showing a tangent on a curve.
As it shows, after drawing the tangent, work out the change in distance (A) and the change in time (B).
It should also be noted that an object moving at a constant speed but changing direction continually is also accelerating. Velocity, a vector quantity, changes if either the magnitude or the direction changes. This is important when dealing with circular motion.