What is a Distance-Time Graph?

A distance-time graph represents how far an object has moved over a period of time. It's used in physics to visually describe motion.

Axes:

X-axis (horizontal): Time (usually in seconds, minutes, etc.)

Y-axis (vertical): Distance (usually in meters, kilometers, etc.)

Types of lines and what they mean:

Straight upward diagonal line

1. Distance increases evenly with time.

   
   

   • Object is moving at a constant speed.

2 . Horizontal line

• Distance stays the same even as time passes.

  
  

Object is stationary (not moving).

3 . teep line

• Indicates the object is moving fast (covering more distance in less time).

4 . Gentle slope

• Indicates the object is moving slowly.

5 . Curved line upward

• Speed is increasing (acceleration).

  
  

6 . Curved line leveling off

• Speed is decreasing (deceleration).

Why it’s useful:

Helps visualize motion

Makes it easy to compare speeds

Can be used to calculate speed (slope of the line = speed)