1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
Acceleration is determined from a velocity-time graph by finding the gradient, using velocity change over the chosen time interval accurately.
- Syllabus
- 2024
- Objective
- 1.8
- Level
- —
Exam analysis
Chance of appearing14%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Most common paperPaper1P
Typical marks3
Common command terms
- Calculate
- Explain
- Identify
Scoring notes
- Common mistake
- Using the area under the line instead of the gradient when asked for acceleration.
Recent exam appearances
November 2025Paper1P [] · TZ09(a)[ 1 ]1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
November 2024Paper1P [null] · TZ06(a)(i)[ 3 ]1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
Jan 2021Paper1PR [null] · TZ05(c)[ 3 ]1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
Jan 2021Paper1PR [null] · TZ05(b)(i)[ 3 ]1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
May 2020Paper1P [null] · TZ02(a)[ 3 ]1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
Practice this objective
Coverage 2019–2025 · Updated 16 Jul 2026
1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients
Determine acceleration from the gradient of a velocity-time graph
Concept essentials
- Acceleration is the gradient of a velocity-time graph.
- Gradient is calculated from change in velocity divided by time interval.
- A negative gradient represents braking or acceleration in the opposite direction.
- A less steep gradient represents a smaller acceleration magnitude.
- A curved velocity-time graph has changing acceleration.