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Year 8

Reading distance-time graphs

I can read values of distance and time from graphs and use them to calculate speed.

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New
New
Year 8

Reading distance-time graphs

I can read values of distance and time from graphs and use them to calculate speed.

Download all resources
Share activities with pupils

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. The labels on a graph describe what it shows.
  2. The numbers on the scale of a graph go up in equal amounts.
  3. The value of each small division is the value of a large division divided by the number of small divisions it contains.
  4. Each point on a distance-time graph describes where an object is at a point in time (not its speed).
  5. The speed of an object can be found from distance and time information read from a distance-time graph.

Common misconception

Pupils often interpret distance-time graphs (intuitively) as pictures.

Guide pupils step by step through interpreting d-t graphs and link each line with a motion (repeatedly).

Keywords

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

  • Axis - The horizontal axis on a distance-time graph shows the time and the vertical axis shows the distance.

  • Scale - Each axis has a scale which shows the variable name and the minimum and maximum values.

  • Division - Scales are marked with divisions so that values can be read from the distance-time graph.

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

Students find interpreting d-t graphs difficult so model movement, towards and away from a point, as much as possible. "Live" graph distance sensors are very useful and can show different gradients for different speeds.
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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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the symbol for the unit with the property it is used to measure.
Correct Answer:km,distance

distance

Correct Answer:s,time

time

Correct Answer:kg,mass

mass

Correct Answer:km/h,speed

speed

Correct Answer:N,force

force

Q2.
Which two pieces of equipment could be used to find the speed of a trolley rolling down a ramp?
balance
Correct answer: stopwatch
thermometer
newton meter
Correct answer: tape measure
Q3.
Calculate the distance a bicycle travelling at 6.0 m/s will travel in 30 s.
5 m
24 m
36 m
Correct answer: 180 m
1800 m
Q4.
A runner completes an 800 m race with an average speed of 6.4 m/s. How long did it take to finish the race?
6.4 s
Correct answer: 125 s
793.6 s
806.4 s
5120 s
Q5.
A trolley is rolled a distance of 3.0 m, taking 6.0 s to cover the distance. What is the average speed of the trolley?
Correct answer: 0.5 m/s
2.0 m/s
3.0 m/s
6.0 m/s
9.0 m/s
Q6.
Starting with the fastest, put the values in order of average speed.
1 - A motorcycle that travels 255 m in 15 s
2 - A lorry that travels 500 m in 40 s
3 - A car that travels 200 m in 20 s
4 - A scooter that travels 30 m in 5 s
Q2 image 1 UYSEG Q2 image 2 UYSEG Q2 image 4 UYSEG

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
Match the keyword to the description.
An image in a quiz
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:axis,Horizontal or vertical line showing the variable names.

Horizontal or vertical line showing the variable names.

Correct Answer:scale,Numbers on an axis showing the minimum and maximum values.

Numbers on an axis showing the minimum and maximum values.

Correct Answer:division,Lines on an axis to allow values to be read from a graph.

Lines on an axis to allow values to be read from a graph.

Correct Answer:average speed,Distance moved by an object, divided by the time taken.

Distance moved by an object, divided by the time taken.

Q2.
What distance has this object travelled after 3 s? Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 4 m, 4.0 m, 4.0 metres, 4 metres, four metres
Q3.
Which feature of this graph shows that the object is travelling at a constant speed?
An image in a quiz
The scale is even.
The axes are labelled correctly.
The divisions are the same size on both axes.
Correct answer: The line joining the points is straight.
The maximum distance was 5 m.
Q4.
How long does it take for this object to travel 5 m? Give your answer to one decimal place. Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
Correct Answer: 3.6 s, 3.6 seconds, 3.6 second, 3.6s, 3.6seconds
Q5.
Use the graph to find the average speed of this object.
An image in a quiz
5 m/s
4 m/s
3 m/s
2 m/s
Correct answer: 0.8 m/s
Q6.
What distance does this object travel between 1 s and 4 s? Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.
An image in a quiz
0.8 m
1.6 m
Correct answer: 2.4 m
3.0 m
3.2 m
Q1 UYSEG Q2 UYSEG Q3 UYSEG Q4 UYSEG Q5 UYSEG Q6 UYSEG