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Click on Speed-Time Graphs.

1. We use words like__________, ___________,


_________________and _________________ to describe
different types of motion. We can also use graphs to represent these
motions.

2. These graphs are called ________________ graphs.

Click On Before you Start.


3. Here is a speed-time graph. The graph shows us how the speed of an
object is changing with time. Label the graph.

speedtime

4. At what point on the graph is the object moving at a steady speed?


_____
5. At what point on the graph is the object accelerating at the fastest
rate? ______
6. At what point on the graph is the object experiencing a positive
acceleration? _______
7. At what point on the graph is the object experiencing a negative
acceleration (slowing down, deceleration)? ______
Click on Next.

Example Question: On Speed-Time Graphs


1. The speed-time graph in the question shows how the speed of a bus
changes during part of a journey. See how you get on with the question. Then
scroll down to see if you managed to get the correct answers.

bus
graph

Look at each of the lettered sections OA, AB, BC, CD, DE and EF on the
speed-time graph.
(a) Choose the correct word from the table below to describe the motion
taking place in each section.
acceleration

steady speed

stationary

(i) OA _______________

(ii) AB _____________ (iii) BC __________

(iv) CD ______________

(v) DE _____________ (vi) EF __________

(b) At what time during the journey did the bus reach its greatest speed?
________________
(c) How long was the bus stopped for during its journey? ______________
(d) During which section of the journey did the bus have the greatest
acceleration? _____________________
(e) Calculate the acceleration of the bus during section DE. Use a formula,
substitute in the numbers, and calculate to find your answer.

(f) Which section could be described as a deceleration?

Calculating Distance Using a Speed Time Graph

It is helpful to break the area under the speed-time graph into triangular
and rectangles when you are calculating the distance traveled.

speed/time
graphs

Graph A

Graph B

Graph C

1) The distance traveled by the object in Graph A is represented by


the area of a rectangle which is equal to ( 3 x 10) = 30 m.
2) The distance traveled by the object in Graph B is represented by
the area of a triangle which is equal to ( 1/2 x 5 x 6 ) = 15 m.
3) The distance traveled by the object in Graph C is represented by
the sum of the area of a triangle and a rectangle which is equal to
(1/2 x 3 x 8) + (2 x 8 ) = 28 m.

2. Try answering this question to see if you can work out the distance
traveled from a speed-time graph. This is a Credit Level task. Once you have
tried it, scroll down to the answer to see if you did the calculation correctly.

bus graph

(a) What is the distance traveled by the bus during its 25 s journey?
Area under OA = ______________
Area under AB = ______________
Area under BC = ______________
Area under CD = ______________
Area under DE = ______________
Area under EF = ______________
TOTAL AREA = ______________
Total Distance Traveled in 25 s. _________
(b) What is the average speed of the bus during its 25 s journey? (formula,
substitute, solve)

Click on Test Bite

Speed-time Graphs
You may wish to print a hard copy for your reference.
1.
The speed-time graph shows the motion of a cyclist on a straight track.

(i). What is the top speed reached by the cyclist?

m/s

(ii). After what time does the cyclist start to slow down?

(iii). What is the acceleration of the cyclist during the first 5 s?


(iv). Calculate the deceleration of the cyclist.

m/s2

m/s2

2.
The speed- time graph shows the motion of a car on a straight section of road.

(i). Which line on the graph represents the car when it is stopped?
(ii). What is the highest speed reached by the car?

m/s

(iii). Which line on the graph shows the car's speed decreasing with time?
(iv). Calculate the acceleration represented by line R

m/s2

(v). Calculate the distance travelled by the car in 30 s.

(vi). Calculate the average speed of the car during the first 16 s of its motion. (Credit)
m/s
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