Speed and Velocity
The slope on a distance-time graph represents the speed of an object.
The velocity of an object is its speed in a particular direction. The slope on a velocity-time graph represents the acceleration of an object.
This equation shows the relationship between speed, distance travelled and time taken
Use the formula triangle to calculate speed, distance and time
Velocity-time graphs
The velocity of an object is its speed in a particular direction. This means that two cars travelling at the same speed, but in opposite directions, have different velocities.
The vertical axis of a velocity-time graph is the velocity of the object. The horizontal axis is the time from the start.
When an object is moving with a constant velocity, the line on the graph is horizontal. When an object is moving with a constant acceleration, the line on the graph is straight, but sloped. The diagram shows some typical lines on a velocity-time graph