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Year 8

Reading distance-time graphs

I can read values of distance and time from graphs and use them to calculate speed.

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New

Year 8

Reading distance-time graphs

I can read values of distance and time from graphs and use them to calculate speed.

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Share activities with pupils

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Lesson details

Key learning points

The labels on a graph describe what it shows.
The numbers on the scale of a graph go up in equal amounts.
The value of each small division is the value of a large division divided by the number of small divisions it contains.
Each point on a distance-time graph describes where an object is at a point in time (not its speed).
The speed of an object can be found from distance and time information read from a distance-time graph.

Keywords

Distance-time graph - A distance-time graph is used to show how far an object has travelled over a period of time.
Axis - The horizontal axis on a distance-time graph shows the time and the vertical axis shows the distance.
Scale - Each axis has a scale which shows the variable name and the minimum and maximum values.
Division - Scales are marked with divisions so that values can be read from the distance-time graph.
Average speed - The overall distance travelled divided by overall time for a journey.

Common misconception

Pupils often interpret distance-time graphs (intuitively) as pictures.

Guide pupils step by step through interpreting d-t graphs and link each line with a motion (repeatedly).

Students find interpreting d-t graphs difficult so model movement, towards and away from a point, as much as possible. "Live" graph distance sensors are very useful and can show different gradients for different speeds.

Teacher tip

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - equipment

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

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Starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the symbol for the unit with the property it is used to measure.

Correct Answer:km,distance

distance

Correct Answer:s,time

time

Correct Answer:kg,mass

mass

Correct Answer:km/h,speed

speed

Correct Answer:N,force

force

Q2.

Which two pieces of equipment could be used to find the speed of a trolley rolling down a ramp?

balance

Correct answer: stopwatch

thermometer

newton meter

Correct answer: tape measure

Q3.

Calculate the distance a bicycle travelling at 6.0 m/s will travel in 30 s.

5 m

24 m

36 m

Correct answer: 180 m

1800 m

Q4.

A runner completes an 800 m race with an average speed of 6.4 m/s. How long did it take to finish the race?

6.4 s

Correct answer: 125 s

793.6 s

806.4 s

5120 s

Q5.

A trolley is rolled a distance of 3.0 m, taking 6.0 s to cover the distance. What is the average speed of the trolley?

Correct answer: 0.5 m/s

2.0 m/s

3.0 m/s

6.0 m/s

9.0 m/s

Q6.

Starting with the fastest, put the values in order of average speed.

1 - A motorcycle that travels 255 m in 15 s

2 - A lorry that travels 500 m in 40 s

3 - A car that travels 200 m in 20 s

4 - A scooter that travels 30 m in 5 s

Q2 image 1 UYSEG Q2 image 2 UYSEG Q2 image 4 UYSEG

Exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.

Match the keyword to the description.

Correct Answer:distance-time graph,Shows the distance something has moved at each moment.

Shows the distance something has moved at each moment.

Correct Answer:axis,Horizontal or vertical line showing the variable names.

Horizontal or vertical line showing the variable names.

Correct Answer:scale,Numbers on an axis showing the minimum and maximum values.

Numbers on an axis showing the minimum and maximum values.

Correct Answer:division,Lines on an axis to allow values to be read from a graph.

Lines on an axis to allow values to be read from a graph.

Correct Answer:average speed,Distance moved by an object, divided by the time taken.

Distance moved by an object, divided by the time taken.

Q2.

What distance has this object travelled after 3 s? Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.

Correct Answer: 4 m, 4.0 m, 4.0 metres, 4 metres, four metres

Q3.

Which feature of this graph shows that the object is travelling at a constant speed?

The scale is even.

The axes are labelled correctly.

The divisions are the same size on both axes.

Correct answer: The line joining the points is straight.

The maximum distance was 5 m.

Q4.

How long does it take for this object to travel 5 m? Give your answer to one decimal place. Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.

Correct Answer: 3.6 s, 3.6 seconds, 3.6 second, 3.6s, 3.6seconds

Q5.

Use the graph to find the average speed of this object.

5 m/s

4 m/s

3 m/s

2 m/s

Correct answer: 0.8 m/s

Q6.

What distance does this object travel between 1 s and 4 s? Don’t forget to provide the unit in your answer.

0.8 m

1.6 m

Correct answer: 2.4 m

3.0 m

3.2 m

Q1 UYSEG Q2 UYSEG Q3 UYSEG Q4 UYSEG Q5 UYSEG Q6 UYSEG