Area under a Velocity-Time Graph Flashcards

All 4 cards in this deck

What does the area between a velocity–time graph line and the time axis represent?

The distance travelled.

What are the steps to find the distance travelled from a velocity–time graph?

e.g. the line rises from 0 to 8 m/s in 5 s, then stays at 8 m/s for 10 s

1. Split the area into triangles and rectangles
2. Triangle: $\frac{1}{2} \times 5 \times 8 = 20$ m; rectangle: $8 \times 10 = 80$ m
3. Add the areas: distance = 100 m

What is the formula for the area of a triangular section under a velocity–time graph?

Area = $\frac{1}{2} \times$ base (time) $\times$ height (velocity).

True or false? The area under a velocity–time graph gives the acceleration.

False. The area gives the distance travelled; the gradient gives the acceleration.