New
New
Year 8

Interpreting distance-time graphs

I can describe the movement of objects represented by a distance-time graph.

New
New
Year 8

Interpreting distance-time graphs

I can describe the movement of objects represented by a distance-time graph.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. A level line on a distance-time graph shows a stationary object (no movement).
  2. The greater the gradient (steeper the line) on a distance-time graph, the faster the movement.
  3. Upward and downward sloping lines on a distance-time graph show movement in opposite directions.
  4. The average speed between two points is calculated using speed = change in distance / time taken.

Common misconception

Students can think that a distance or time value read from a distance-time graph is the speed.

Remind students of the definition of speed, pointing out that it requires two pieces of information to find - both the distance and time.

Keywords

  • Distance-time graph - A distance-time graph is used to show how far an object has travelled over a period of time.

  • Average speed - The overall distance travelled divided by overall time for a journey.

  • Gradient - The gradient (steepness) of a line on a distance-time graph shows its speed. Higher gradients (steeper lines) show faster objects.

  • Stationary - A stationary object is not moving. It has a speed of 0 m/s.

Using demonstrations or simulations of motion will help the student to better visualise the motion of objects. These can then be linked to the patterns shown in the graphs.
Teacher tip

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the feature of the distance-time graph to what it is for.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:horizontal axis,shows the time

shows the time

Correct Answer:vertical axis,shows the distance

shows the distance

Correct Answer:scale,shows the maximum and minimum values

shows the maximum and minimum values

Correct Answer:gradient (slope),shows the speed of an object

shows the speed of an object

Correct Answer:division,numbers on the axis so that values can be read

numbers on the axis so that values can be read

Correct Answer:grid lines,lines from the axes that allow readings to be read easily

lines from the axes that allow readings to be read easily

Q2.
Use the graph to find out how far this object has travelled in 60 s. Include the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 9 m, 9, 9 metres, 9 meters, 9.0 m
Q3.
Use the graph to find out how long it takes this object to travel 6 m. Include the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 40 s, 40 seconds, 40, 40 sec, forty
Q4.
How far does this object travel between 10 s and 40 s?
An image in a quiz
0 m
1.5 m
4.0 m
Correct answer: 4.5 m
6.0 m
Q5.
Starting with the fastest, put the objects shown on the graph in order of average speed.
An image in a quiz
1 - A
2 - B
3 - C
4 - D
Q6.
Use the graph to calculate the average speed of the object.
An image in a quiz
Correct answer: 1.1 m/s
4.0 m/s
4.4 m/s
1.5 m/s
176 m/s
Q1 UYSEG Q2 UYSEG Q3 UYSEG Q4 UYSEG Q5 UYSEG Q6 UYSEG

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the key word to the description.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer:average speed,The total distance travelled divided by the total time.

The total distance travelled divided by the total time.

Correct Answer:gradient,The steepness of a line on a graph.

The steepness of a line on a graph.

Correct Answer:distance-time graph,Shows the distance something has moved at each moment.

Shows the distance something has moved at each moment.

Correct Answer:slope,Another name for the gradient of a graph.

Another name for the gradient of a graph.

Correct Answer:stationary,Not moving.

Not moving.

Q2.
At what time does this object start moving closer? Include the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 10 s, 10, 10 seconds, ten seconds, ten
Q3.
Which of the objects shown by the four lines has the lowest average speed?
An image in a quiz
A
B
C
Correct answer: D
They are all the same speed.
Q4.
Which of the objects shown by the four lines has a speed of 0.13 m/s?
An image in a quiz
A
Correct answer: B
C
D
All of them.
Q5.
Calculate the average speed for this complete journey.
An image in a quiz
0.06 m/s
0.10 m/s
0.15 m/s
Correct answer: 0.17 m/s
0.60 m/s
Q6.
Calculate the average speed between 10 s and 30 s for this journey.
An image in a quiz
0.06 m/s
0.10 m/s
Correct answer: 0.05 m/s
0.20 m/s
60 m/s
Q1 UYSEG Q2 UYSEG Q3 UYSEG Q4 UYSEG Q5 UYSEG Q6 UYSEG