Reading Distance/Time Graphs

Front

What does a distance/time graph represent?

Back

A distance/time graph represents the relationship between the distance traveled by an object and the time taken to travel that distance.

Front

What does a flat horizontal line indicate on a distance/time graph?

Back

A flat horizontal line indicates that the object is stationary (not moving).

Front

What does a straight diagonal line represent on a distance/time graph?

Back

A straight diagonal line represents constant speed; the object is moving away from the starting position at a steady rate.

Front

What does a curved line indicate on a distance/time graph?

Back

A curved line indicates that the object is accelerating or decelerating; the speed is changing.

Front

What does a downward slope on a distance/time graph indicate?

Back

A downward slope indicates that the object is returning to its starting position.

Front

What does an upward slope on a distance/time graph indicate?

Back

An upward slope indicates that the object is moving away from the starting position.

Front

What does a steep slope on a distance/time graph indicate?

Back

A steep slope indicates a fast speed; the object is covering a large distance in a short amount of time.

Front

What does a gentle slope on a distance/time graph indicate?

Back

A gentle slope indicates a slow speed; the object is covering a small distance over a longer period of time.

Front

What does it mean if the line on a distance/time graph is vertical?

Back

A vertical line is not possible in a distance/time graph as it would imply infinite speed, which is not physically possible.

Front

How can you determine the speed of an object from a distance/time graph?

Back

The speed can be determined by calculating the slope of the line; speed = distance/time.