Distance-time graphs

Distance-time graphs is a way to visually show a collection of data. It allows us to undertstand the relationships between the data. The below is a example of a distancetime graph, the time Distance-Time for Table 1

Distance(m) Time (s) Distance (s) 0 1 2 3 4 5 Time (s) 0 13 25 40 51 66

78

As you can see, the data from the table is shown in a visual format in the graph. The time(s) is shown as the x axis and the distance(m) is shown on the y axis on the graph. The points on the graph do not create a perfectly straight line so a line of best fit must be drawn in.

The proper equation for a line is y=mx + b The y is the dependant variable (on y -axis) The x is the independent variable (on x-axis) The m is the slope of the line The b is the y intercept of the line.

In a distance-time graph the equation changes from y= mx + b To d=v t d is the dependant variable, lying on the y axis. t (time) is the independant variable and lies on the x axis. v (speed) is the slope of the line. 0 (the initial distance) is the y intercept.

Slope and the Speed When you look at a slope of a line on a distance-time graph you may notice how slopes can be different. The slope of the line determines the speed; the higher the slope the greater the speed, but if the slope is low then the speed is low. Lets looks at the examples below

As you can see in the first chart, the slope is very high, this means that the car must be traveling at a great speed. In the second graph, the slope is relatively low, which means that the car is driving at a very low speed

As you might recall from math class, the slope of a line is equal to the rise( y) divided by the run ( x). To translate this to d to fit in with a distancetime and time graph, the slope(speed) is equal to the change in distance( d) divided by the change in time( t). The speed is determined from the line of best fit on a distance-time graph. slope = rise/run or v= d / t

The slope of the line is calculated as followed d = d2 -d1 d = 7.7km - 1.9km d = 5.8km t = t2 - t1
t = 11.2min - 2.7min t = 8.5min

v = d/ t v = 5.8/8.5 v=0.68km/min

*remember significant digits digits rule still applies **Note the speed of a object in motion can be determined the slope of a distance -time graph.

Speed-Time Graphs
Like distance and time, speed and time can also be placed visually on a graph as well. A speed -time graph that has a slope greater than zero shows an object accelerating, graphs that shows a straight means a constant speed is being kept, and a negative slope means the car is decelerating. The steeper the slope, the faster it is either accelerating or decelerating.

This page will pose a new way of showing acceleration using a graph. Acceleration is the change in speed over time. Usually in a speed-time graph the speed is represented as the change in y ( y) or the y-axis. The time is represented as the change in x ( x) or the xaxis. The equation of the slope is still defined as the change in y divided by the change in x Slope = ( y/ x)

To calculate the Acceleration from a speed time graph you must calculate the slope the same way you would fine the average speed from a distance-time graph

What does the area under the line mean?

The area under the slope represents the total distance. Using mathematical formulas, you can find the area under the line. Normally shape in which the area can be measured from willl only form a triangle or a square, or both. This theorem still proves the area under a speed-time graph equals the distance travelled during that time interval.

Using the above graph you can calculate the area. (in meters) i) Divide the slopes in to geometric shapes if necessary ii) Decide what formulas to use Triangle Sqaure iii) Calculate the areas Triangle Sqaure iiii) Add areas if necessary 10m + 25m =35m
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Area = (Base x Height) / 2 Area = Base x Height

Area = (Base x Height) / 2 Area = Base x Height

(4 x 5) / 2 = 10m (9-4) x 5 = 25m

Speed or Velocity? It is very important to understand the difference between these terms because Physicists are very fussy about the precise definition of words.

Speed is the rate of movement. Speed = distance / time Velocity is not just the rate of movement, but the rate of movement in a certain direction. Velocity = displacement / time. The diagram below shows displacement. See how it can have positive and negative values.

Acceleration Acceleration is when the speed of an object is increasing. Like when you put up your speed when on the motorway. It does not go straight to 130km/h, but must speed up to reach it. The equation for acceleration is.

Speed - Time Graph

From the start to point A the train is travelling at a constant speed of 10ms-1 Between points A and B it is accelerating because the line goes up, on a distance time graph this would appear as a curve. It accelerates at: a = (v-u)/t a = (30 - 10)/100 a = 0.2ms-2 From B to C it is at a constant speed of 30ms-1 To find the distance you calculate the area under the line using simple laws of geometry. The main difference with a velocity / time graph is that when the line goes down it may mean the object is decelerating or it is moving in the opposite direction, so it is possible to have a negative velocity. Stopping Distance Stopping distance is the distance a vehicle travels from the point the driver should stop, to when he or she actually becomes stationary. It combines thinking distance and deceleration distance. Here it is represented in a speed/time graph

Factors which can increase stopping distance are: Speed. A faster vehicle will travel more distance (d = s x t). Mass. A heavier vehicle may travel further because it has greater momentum. Road condition. If the road is wet, for exaple, the vehicle will move more because there is less friction to stop it. That is why we should drive slower when it rains, the DSA advises that stopping distance is doubled in the rain and increases by 10 times on icy roads. Reaction time. The thinking distance will be lengthened if the driver isn't concentrating or their reaction has been inhibited by alcohol or sleep deprivation for example. ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

Example

Worked Solution