CAIE A-Level Physics 2.1.4 Velocity from a Displacement–Time Graph

Practise finding average or instantaneous velocity from displacement-time graph gradients, interpreting straight and curved sections and reporting sign, units and physical meaning.

Exam points

Determine velocity from the gradient of a displacement–time graph.
Calculate or interpret instantaneous or average gradient on a straight or curved displacement–time graph.
Report the velocity with correct sign, units and physical meaning.

[Maximum number: 2]

A toy train moves along a straight section of track. Fig. 1.1 shows the variation with time t of the distance d moved by the train.

Fig. 1.1

Determine the speed of the train at time $t=2.0 \mathrm{~s}$ .

\text{speed = ................................................ } \mathrm{m\,s}^{-1}\quad \text{[2]}

speed $=(\Delta) d /(\Delta) t$ or gradient

C1

$\begin{aligned} =\text { e.g. }(0.56-0.20) / 1.5 =0.24 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~s}^{-1} \end{aligned}$

A1

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2.1.4—Velocity using the gradient of a displacement–time graph question 1