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7.7Physics 01. Forces And Energy

Interpret and draw simple distance / time graphs — Cambridge Checkpoint Science 0893 Revision Notes & Topical Questions

5 min read 8 parts Lesson 8 of 12 1 quiz

📚 Cambridge Checkpoint Science 0893 Hub / Topical Revision
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Lesson summary

7.7 Distance-time graphs and speed — CHECKPOINT - Lower Secondary Science 0893 notes: Interpret and draw simple distance-time graphs and calculate speed from them.Distance-time graph — a graph with time on the horizontal axis and distance on the vertical axis.Advantages — it show…

  • Stationary
  • Reading values
  • Example from a train graph
  • Constant speed
  • Sketch graph
  • Advantages — it shows trends, any value of distance or time, speed and the whole journey easily

Section 1 of 8What a distance-time graph shows

Distance-time graph
  • Distance-time graph a graph with time on the horizontal axis and distance on the vertical axis.
Advantages
  • Advantages it shows trends, any value of distance or time, speed and the whole journey easily.

Section 2 of 8Shapes of the graph lines

Line on the graphMeaning
Straight upward slopeConstant speed away from the start
Horizontal lineStationary (speed zero), as time passes
Steeper straight upward slopeFaster speed
Straight downward slopeConstant speed back to the start
Curved lineSpeed is changing
Steepness
  • Steepness the steeper the line, the greater the speed.
Stationary
  • Stationary means not moving, also described as at rest.

Section 3 of 8Calculating speed

Calculating speed
Equation
  • Equation speed = distance ÷ time
  • The unit is metres per second (m/s) when distance is in metres and time in seconds.
Reading values
  • Reading values read the distance from the vertical axis and the time from the horizontal axis.
Example from a train graph
  • Example from a train graph a 2000 m journey in 200 s is 10 m/s, and the return in 100 s is 20 m/s.

Section 4 of 8Drawing a distance-time graph

1
Put time on the horizontal axis and distance on the vertical axis.
2
Label each axis with the quantity and the unit.
3
Choose scales that fit the data.
4
Plot the points as small neat crosses.
5
Join the points with ruled lines.

Section 5 of 8Sketch graphs

  • Sketch
    • a rough graph without numbers on the axes, used to show the shape of a journey.

Section 6 of 8Measuring speed

Measuring speed
Plan the distance and the timing method.
Measure the distance with a tape measure and the time with a stopwatch.
Repeat and calculate the mean speed.

Section 7 of 8Key terms

TermMeaning
Distance-time graphGraph of distance travelled against time.
SpeedDistance travelled divided by time taken.
StationaryNot moving.
Constant speedSpeed that does not change.
Sketch graphA rough graph without numbers on the axes.

Section 8 of 8Exam technique

1
A horizontal line means constant speed — it means the object is stationary.
2
A downward line means going slower — it means moving back towards the start.
3
The graph shows the path of the object — it shows distance against time.
4
A steeper line means the object travelled further — it means a faster speed.

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