Difference between revisions of "Velocity-Time Graph"
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: The [[distance]] travelled can be calculated from a '''velocity-time graph''' by breaking the [[graph]] into simple shapes and finding the [[area]] of those shapes. This may use the equations <math>a = b \times h</math> for rectangular shapes and <math>a = \frac{b \times h}{2}</math> for triangular shapes. | : The [[distance]] travelled can be calculated from a '''velocity-time graph''' by breaking the [[graph]] into simple shapes and finding the [[area]] of those shapes. This may use the equations <math>a = b \times h</math> for rectangular shapes and <math>a = \frac{b \times h}{2}</math> for triangular shapes. | ||
Revision as of 11:23, 14 February 2019
Contents
Key Stage 4
Meaning
A velocity-time graph is a graph that shows how the velocity of an object changes with time.
About Velocity Time Graphs
- Velocity-time graphs give information about the journey taken by an object.
- On a velocity-time graph the velocity is plotted on the y-axis and the time is plotted on the x-axis.
- A velocity-time graph can be used to calculate the acceleration of an object or the distance travelled by the object.
- The gradient of a velocity-time graph is the same as the acceleration.
- The area under the curve on a velocity-time graph is the distance travelled by an object.
| Constant Velocity | Accelerating | Decelerating |
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| A gradient of zero shows the object is travelling at a constant velocity. | Acceleration is shown by a positive gradient. | Deceleration is shown by a negative gradient. |
Example Calculations
Calculating Acceleration
- The acceleration can be calculated from a velocity-time graph by reading the graph and using the equation \(a=\frac{v-u}{t}\).
| Calculate the acceleration of the object in the first 10 seconds of the journey. | Calculate the acceleration of the object in the first 10 seconds of the journey. |
Calculating Distance Travelled
- The distance travelled can be calculated from a velocity-time graph by breaking the graph into simple shapes and finding the area of those shapes. This may use the equations \(a = b \times h\) for rectangular shapes and \(a = \frac{b \times h}{2}\) for triangular shapes.
| Calculate the distance travelled by the object in the first 20 seconds the entire journey. | Calculate the distance travelled by the object over the entire journey. |