Choose exam board for KS4 Computer Science (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 English
Choose exam board for KS4 French
Choose exam board for KS4 Geography
Choose exam board for KS4 German
Choose exam board for KS4 History
Choose tier for KS4 Maths
Choose exam board for KS4 Music
Choose exam board for KS4 Physical education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Religious education (GCSE)
Choose exam board for KS4 Spanish

      Non-linear distance-time graphs

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can interpret non-linear distance-time graphs.

      Key learning points

      1. Speed may not always be constant.
      2. Acceleration may not always be constant.
      3. Depending on the variables, multiple graphs can represent the same journey.

      Keywords

      • Speed - Speed is the rate at which something is moving. It is measured as the distance travelled per unit of time.

      • Acceleration - Acceleration is the rate of change of speed with respect to time.

      • Deceleration - Deceleration is the rate at which the speed of an object is decreasing.

      Common misconception

      Pupils may think a horizontal line on a speed-time means the object is stationary.

      The $$y$$ axis is plotting speed so a horizontal line means the speed has not changed in that time. But this can be at any speed. Pupils need to double check axes to know what sort of graph they are using.

      Teacher tip

      The first problem solving lesson in this unit (lesson 16) explores the concept of different graphs for the same journey in more detail. Groups working on higher tier content may wish to explore that lesson before moving onto lessons which explore higher only content.

      Licence

      This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0
      except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions
      (Collection 2).

      Lesson video

      Loading...

      Prior knowledge starter quiz

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      The gradient of this line is .

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 5

      Q2.
      This distance-time graph shows an object moving at constant speed. The object is travelling at m/s.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 15

      Q3.
      Which of these represents constant non-zero speed?

      Horizontal line on a displacement-time graph.
      Correct answer: Horizontal line on speed-time graph (not along the $$x$$-axis).
      Correct answer: Diagonal line with positive gradient on a displacement-time graph.
      Correct answer: Diagonal line with negative gradient on a displacement-time graph.
      Diagonal line with positive gradient on a speed-time graph.

      Q4.
      What does a line segment with negative gradient represent on a speed-time graph?

      Travelling down hill at a constant speed.
      Travelling towards a fixed start point at a constant speed.
      Object's speed is increasing.
      Correct answer: Object is decelerating.
      Object has moved past the start point in the opposite direction.

      Q5.
      The speed-time graph shows the first 20 seconds of an object's journey. How long was the object stationary during this time?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 3 seconds, 3 secs

      Q6.
      The speed-time graph shows the first 20 seconds of an object's journey. How long was the object decelerating for?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: 5 seconds, 5 secs

      6 Questions

      Q1.
      This distance-time graph shows the journey of an object. Match up the stages of the graph labelled a)-e) with the stages of the journey.

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer:a),Fastest constant speed

      Fastest constant speed

      Correct Answer:b),Object decelerating

      Object decelerating

      Correct Answer:c),Object stationary

      Object stationary

      Correct Answer:d),Object's speed is increasing

      Object's speed is increasing

      Correct Answer:e),Slowest section of (non-zero) constant speed

      Slowest section of (non-zero) constant speed

      Q2.
      Which of these is the correct distance-time graph for the journey shown on this speed-time graph?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q3.
      Which of these is the correct speed-time graph for the journey shown on this distance-time graph?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q4.
      Which of these graphs could show an object decelerating until stopped?

      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q5.
      Which speed-time graph could show the same journey as this distance-time graph?

      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      Q6.
      Which of these graphs show speed increasing (positive acceleration)?

      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz
      Correct Answer: An image in a quiz
      An image in a quiz

      To help you plan your 11 maths lesson on: Non-linear distance-time graphs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...