1. Can you put these items in order of their top speeds?
Distance–time graphs
20 April 2017
Can you put these items in order of their top speeds?
Formula 1 car
Jet fighter
Human
Laser beam
Snail
Cheetah
Tortoise

2. Can you put these items in order of their top speeds?
Distance–time graphs
20 April 2017
Can you put these items in order of their top speeds?
Snail 2 mm/s
Tortoise 5 cm/s
Human 12 m/s
Cheetah 34 m/s
Formula 1 car 100 m/s
Jet fighter 700 m/s
Laser beam m/s

3. Distance–time graphs How can a d-t graph show:
20 April 2017
How can a d-t graph show:
something is stationary?
Moving at a constant speed
How can we calculate average speed?
The Eurostar train runs on the UK’s only high speed rail line. It can reach a maximum speed of 186mph. London to Paris takes 2 hours 15 mins a distance of 211miles.

4. Looking at graphs Which graph shows a stationary object?
Distance
(metres)
Distance
(metres)
Time (sec)
Time (sec)
Which graph shows a stationary object?
Which graph shows an object moving at constant speed?

5. Looking at graphs
Distance
(metres)
Distance
(metres)
Time (sec)
Time (sec)
Constant speed – same change in distance every second.
Stationary – no change in distance

6. Describe this journey in as much detail as you can.
Distance
(metres)
Speed = distance
time
100 50 C B A
Time (sec)
What was the speed at A, B and C?
What was the average speed?

7. Measuring speed Speed = distance ÷ time No. of books Distance (m)
Set up the equipment as shown.
Measure and mark a distance down the ramp.
Measure the time to roll down the slope.
Speed = distance ÷ time
Diagram
Trolley
Books
ramp
No. of books
Distance (m)
Time (s)
Speed (m/s) 1 2 3 4 5

8. Summary
The steeper the line on a distance time graph the greater the speed.
Speed = distance travelled (m)
(m/s) time (s)