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New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Velocity-time graphs: acceleration and distance travelled (a = Δv/t)

I can read information from velocity-time graphs and calculate acceleration and distance travelled.

icon-background-square
New
New
Year 10
AQA
Higher

Velocity-time graphs: acceleration and distance travelled (a = Δv/t)

I can read information from velocity-time graphs and calculate acceleration and distance travelled.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A velocity-time graph shows how velocity changes with time.
  2. Acceleration is equal to the gradient of a velocity-time graph.
  3. A falling line shows decreasing velocity called deceleration, which is a negative acceleration.
  4. The gradient of the line gives the instantaneous acceleration.
  5. The distance travelled is equal to the area under a velocity-time graph.

Keywords

  • Displacement-time graph - A displacement-time graph shows the displacement of an object over a period of time.

  • Velocity-time graph - A velocity-time graph shows the velocity of an object over a period of time.

  • Acceleration - The acceleration of an object is the rate of change of velocity. This is how much the velocity changes per second.

  • Deceleration - Deceleration is used to describe a change in velocity where the object slows down.

Common misconception

Pupils often consider time in the acceleration equation to be moment in time (perhaps read from a graph) rather than a change in time.

Label the value of t in the acceleration as a change of time rather than just time.


To help you plan your year 10 physics lesson on: Velocity-time graphs: acceleration and distance travelled (a = Δv/t), download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Emphasise use of the terms 'change in time' and 'change in velocity' throughout the lesson. Model acceleration and use video clips showing a range of changes in speed as examples.
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This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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6 Questions

Q1.
Five yachts have a sailing race around the same course. Their completion times are shown. Starting with the fastest, put them in order of average speed.
1 - 1 hour 15 minutes
2 - 1 hour 19 minutes
3 - 1 hour 20 minutes
4 - 1 hour 28 minutes
5 - 1 hours 49 minutes
Q2.
Which word is used to describe an object which has a decreasing velocity?
Correct Answer: decelerating, deceleration
Q3.
An electric scooter has a maximum speed of 2.5 m/s. Calculate the maximum distance it can travel in 50 s.
2.5 m
20 m
47.5 m
52.5 m
Correct answer: 125 m
Q4.
A satellite travels a distance of 10 800 km in 1 hour. What is the speed of the satellite in km/s?
0.33 km/s
3.0 m/s
Correct answer: 3.0 km/s
180 km/s
10 800 km/s
Q5.
Which of these is the correct unit for acceleration?
m
m/s
ms
Correct answer: m/s$$^2$$
m/s$$^3$$
Q6.
A train speeds up from 2.0 m/s to 8.0 m/s in a time of 50 s. Calculate the acceleration of the train.
0.04 m/s$$^2$$
Correct answer: 0.12 m/s$$^2$$
0.16 m/s$$^2$$
6.0 m/s$$^2$$
8.3 m/s$$^2$$

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key words and phrases to their explanations.
Correct Answer:displacement-time graph,this shows the displacement of an object over a period of time
tick

this shows the displacement of an object over a period of time

Correct Answer:velocity-time graph,this shows the velocity of an object over a period of time
tick

this shows the velocity of an object over a period of time

Correct Answer:acceleration,the rate of change of velocity
tick

the rate of change of velocity

Correct Answer:deceleration,used to describe an object which is slowing down
tick

used to describe an object which is slowing down

Q2.
Find the change in velocity between 0 s and 8 s shown in this graph.
An image in a quiz
2 m/s
Correct answer: -2 m/s
6 m/s
-8 m/s
8 m/s
Q3.
When is the magnitude (size) of the acceleration greatest according to the velocity-time graph?
An image in a quiz
between 0 s and 2 s
between 2 s and 4 s
between 4 s and 5 s
Correct answer: between 5 s and 7 s
between 7 s and 8 s
Q4.
The graph shows an electric car with changing velocity. At which of these times is the acceleration greatest?
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 1 s
2 s
3 s
4 s
8 s
Q5.
The displacement-time graph shows the movement of a robotic arm in a factory. Calculate the velocity of the arm in m/s between 0 s and 20 s. Do not include the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 0.15, 0.15 m/s, 0.15 metres per second
Q6.
A car starts from rest and accelerates at a constant 3.5 m/s$$^2$$. Calculate its velocity after 6.0 s.
Correct Answer: 21 m/s, 21 metres per second