1. Velocity-time graphs In this section you will
be introduced to the difference between
speed and velocity
be introduced to velocity-time graphs and
how to interpret them
use the equation to calculate acceleration
begin to relate acceleration and distance
travelled to velocity-time graphs

2. Velocity and speed are similar but not the
same.
Look at the example below:-
both balls may have the
but they travel in different
The velocity of an object is its speed in a
stated___________

3. Velocity and speed are similar but not the
same.
Look at the example below:-
both balls may have the same speed
but they travel in different directions.
The velocity of an object is its speed in a
stated direction

4. speeding up Here we are dealing with VELOCITY-time graphs.
A steady velocity produces a ____________ line.
A slope tells us that the car is speeding up or
______________.
A steeper slope means a bigger ______________.

5. constant speeding velocity up
time
time
time
Here we are dealing with VELOCITY-time graphs.
A steady velocity produces a horizontal line.
A slope tells us that the car is speeding up or
accelerating.
A steeper slope means a bigger acceleration.

6. acceleration = change in velocity time
1 A car accelerates from 0 to 20m/s in 10seconds.
Work out the acceleration of the car
Acceleration =
Acceleration =

7. acceleration = change in velocity time
2 A car accelerates from 5m/s to 20m/s in 5seconds.
Work out the acceleration of this car
Acceleration =
Acceleration =

8. 2
1 = (2m/s )
Answers 2
2 = (3m/s )

9. 0-60 IN
6SECONDS
(60mph = 25m/s)
PINK CAR
0-60 IN
10 SECONDS
BLUE CAR

10. A B Velocity m/s 25 Use the formula to work out the acceleration
of the 2 cars 20
Acceleration of A is from
0 to 25m/s in 6 seconds 15
Acceleration of B is from
0 to 25m/s in 10 seconds 10
accel. of A = = 5
accel. of B = =
Time in
seconds 2 4 6 8 10

11. A B Velocity m/s 25 Use the formula to work out the acceleration
of the 2 cars
25/6 = 4.166m/s 2 20
Acceleration of A is from
0 to 25m/s in 6 seconds 15
Acceleration of B is from
0 to 25m/s in 10 seconds 10
25/10 = 2.5m/s 2
Now calculate the gradient of
these 2 lines. What do you notice? 5
The gradient of the line is the acceleration
Time in
seconds 2 4 6 8 10

12. The car travels at 12 m/s for 10 seconds. Use
the formula to find out the distance it travels
Higher level – you need to know that the area under a
velocity – time graph is the distance travelled
velocity 12
The area under a
velocity-time graph is
the distance travelled
by the object 5 10
time
Distance travelled = X =
area underneath the graph = X =

13. The car travels at 12 m/s for 10 seconds. Use
the formula to find out the distance it travels
Higher level – you need to know that the area under a
velocity – time graph is the distance travelled
velocity
Distance = 12 x 10
= 120m 12
Area = 12 x 10 = 120m 5 10
time
The distance travelled = the area under the graph

14. Work out how far this car has travelled in 40 seconds!
velocity
Work out how far this car has
travelled in 40 seconds! 25 B C A 10 20 30 40
time
Area of A = X X =
Area of B = X =
Area of C = X X =
Total area = + + =

15. Work out how far this car has travelled in 40 seconds!
velocity
Work out how far this car has
travelled in 40 seconds! 25
B = 500m
C = 125m
A = 125m 10 20 30 40
time
Start
Answer = = 750m

16. Summary Acceleration is the in velocity divided by the
The acceleration can also be found by
working out of the velocity-time graph
The distance travelled can also be found by
working out the under a velocity-time
graph

17. Summary Acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time.
The acceleration can also be found by
working out gradient of the velocity-time graph
The distance travelled can also be found by
working out the area under a velocity-time
graph

18. END