Physics · Forces and motion
Motion: Distance–Time and Velocity–Time Graphs
Graphs are a quick way to describe motion. Their shapes tell you whether something is moving steadily, speeding up or slowing down.
- Time
- 0 s
- Distance
- 0 m
- Velocity
- 5 m/s
Try this
- Set acceleration to 0. What shape is each graph?
- Use a positive acceleration. What happens to the distance–time graph?
- Use a negative acceleration until the car stops.
Key ideas
- v = u + at
- s = ut + ½at²
- Slope of a distance–time graph = speed; slope of a velocity–time graph = acceleration.