Speed-Time Graphs
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 (link disabled) |
|
||
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
|
|||
 |
 |
 |
|
||
Webmaster (link disabled)
Like distance
and time, speed and time can also be placed visually on a graph as
well. A speed -time graph that has a slope greater than zero shows
an object accelerating, graphs that shows a straight means a
constant speed is being kept, and a negative slope means the car is
decelerating. The steeper the slope, the faster it is either
accelerating or decelerating.
 |
This page
will pose a new way of showing acceleration using a graph.
Acceleration is the change in speed over time. Usually in a
speed-time graph the speed is represented as the change in y (
y) or the y-axis. The
time is represented as the change in x (x) or the x-axis. The equation of the slope
is still defined as the change in y divided by the change in
x
Slope =
(y/x)
 |
To calculate
the Acceleration from a speed time graph you must calculate the
slope the same way you would fine the average speed from a
distance-time graph. (click
here)
What does the area under the line mean?
The area under the slope represents the total distance. Using mathematical formulas, you can find the area under the line. Normally shape in which the area can be measured from willl only form a triangle or a square, or both.
This theorem
still proves the area under a speed-time graph equals the distance
travelled during that time interval.
|
Sample 2
Using the above graph you can calculate the area. (in meters) i) Divide the slopes in to geometric shapes if necessary ii) Decide what formulas to use
iii) Calculate the areas
iiii) Add areas if necessary 10m + 25m =35m
|
Continue to next lesson: ::Instantaneous speed::