Distance-Time and Velocity-Time Graphs

This lesson covers how to interpret and draw distance-time graphs and velocity-time graphs as required by the AQA GCSE Physics specification (4.5.6). Motion graphs are one of the most important and frequently tested topics in GCSE Physics. You must be able to read information from graphs, calculate speed and acceleration from graphs, and describe the motion shown by different sections of a graph.

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Distance-Time Graphs

A distance-time graph shows how the distance travelled by an object changes over time.

• Distance is plotted on the y-axis (vertical axis).
• Time is plotted on the x-axis (horizontal axis).

What Different Sections Mean

Graph Feature	What It Means
Horizontal line (flat section)	The object is stationary (not moving)
Straight diagonal line (going up)	The object is moving at a constant speed
Steeper line	The object is moving faster
Shallower line	The object is moving slower
Curve getting steeper	The object is accelerating (speeding up)
Curve getting shallower	The object is decelerating (slowing down)

Calculating Speed from a Distance-Time Graph