Edexcel IGCSE Physics 1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients

Practise finding acceleration from velocity-time graph gradients, including braking, collisions and changes in graph steepness.

Exam points

calculate acceleration from a velocity-time graph gradient using two suitable readings
interpret negative gradients when calculating braking acceleration
explain how a shallower post-collision gradient shows smaller acceleration magnitude

[Maximum number: 3]

The diagram shows a velocity-time graph for a car from the time the driver sees an obstacle in the road until the car comes to rest.

Figure for Question 1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients question 1 — Edexcel IGCSE Physics

Calculate the acceleration of the car between 1.8 and 8.0 seconds.

acceleration = ............ m/s^2

Marking points:
- use of acceleration $=\frac{\text{change in velocity}}{\text{time}}$
- substitution
- evaluation

Example:
$\text{acceleration}=\frac{-30}{6.2}$ $\text{acceleration}=-4.8\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-2}}$

Accept:
- clear indication that acceleration is gradient
- -4.8 to $-5.0\ \mathrm{m\,s^{-2}}$

Ignore:
- minus sign

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1.8 Acceleration from graph gradients question 1