Area Under Velocity-Time Graphs Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What does the area under a velocity–time graph represent?

The distance travelled (or the displacement of the object).

What are the steps to find distance travelled from a velocity–time graph made of straight lines?

e.g. velocity rises 0 to 10 m/s in 4 s, then stays at 10 m/s for 6 s

1. Split the area into simple shapes
2. Triangle = $\tfrac{1}{2} \times 4 \times 10 = 20$ m; rectangle = $10 \times 6 = 60$ m
3. Add them: distance = $20 + 60 = 80$ m

What are the steps to find the distance travelled under a curved velocity–time graph by counting squares?

e.g. each grid square is 1 m/s by 1 s

1. Work out the distance one square represents: $1 \times 1 = 1$ m
2. Count the squares under the line, counting part-squares over half as whole: 46
3. Distance = $46 \times 1 = 46$ m

True or false? The area under a distance–time graph gives the distance travelled.

False. It is the area under a velocity–time graph that gives distance travelled.