GCSE Combined Science (AQA)

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Accelerating Distance-Time Graphs

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Forces Forces and motion

Accelerating Distance-Time Graphs

5:04 Distance-Time Graphs
Spec 4.5.6.1.4
Previous Circular Motion Next Acceleration & Deceleration
  • Distance-time graph of an accelerating object is curved.
  • The gradient of the graph equals the object's speed.
  • A curving upwards graph indicates increasing speed and acceleration.
  • A curving downwards graph indicates deceleration.
  • Changing gradient shows changing speed.
  • Speed at a point is determined by the gradient of the tangent to the curve at that point.
  • Instantaneous speed is the gradient of the tangent at a specific point in time.
  • Average speed calculation is not required for GCSE physics.
  • Example: Calculate speed of a Formula One car after four seconds using a tangent.
  • Steps to calculate speed:
  • 1. Draw tangent at the correct point on the graph.
  • 2. Choose two suitable points on the tangent.
  • 3. Find the difference between the two distances.
  • 4. Find the difference between the two times.
  • 5. Divide the difference in distance by the difference in time to get the gradient.
  • 6. Round to two significant figures.
  • Example result: 58 meters per second after rounding.

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