Calculating Distance Travelled (GCSE Physics)
Calculating Distance Travelled
Calculating Distance Travelled
We can calculate the distance travelled by an object using a velocity time graph. Since the velocity is a vector, we can also use this graph to calculate the displacement of an object.
The area under a velocity-time graph is the distance travelled. Since speed = distance / time, the distance = speed x time (or velocity x time).
Question: The diagram shows the velocity-time graph for an object over a 10 second period.
Use the graph to calculate the distance travelled by the object in 10 seconds. Show clearly how you work out your answer.
Method
1. The area under the graph represents distance travelled. We know that the area under a velocity-time graph will represent the distance travelled by an object.
2. Write out the formula for area of a rectangle. The shape under the graph is a rectangle. We need to write out the formula for the area of a rectangle.
Area of a rectangle = length x width
3. Write out the lengths of the sides. Now that we have the formula, we need to work out the length and width of the rectangle.
Length = 8
Width = 6
4. Work out the area. Using these lengths, we can work out the area of the rectangle.
Area = 6 x 8
Area = 48 cm²
Method 2
- Look at the shape. From the graph, we can see that the shape underneath is a rectangle.
- Work out the area of the shape. Now that we have found the shape, we can work out its area. In this case, we simply multiply 8 and 6.
Sometimes it can help to split the area under the graph into multiple shapes – e.g. a square and a triangle. Work out the areas of each shape separately and then add them together.
For example, for this graph below, you can split the area under the graph into two triangles (A and C) and one square (B).
Distance travelled is the total distance that an object has covered while in motion. It is a measure of the total displacement of an object from its starting point to its final point.
To calculate distance travelled in physics, you need to know the speed of an object and the amount of time it has been in motion. You can use the formula distance = speed x time to calculate the distance travelled.
Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. It is defined as the distance travelled by an object in a certain amount of time. In physics, speed is usually measured in meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
Time is a concept used to describe the duration of an event or the interval between two events. In physics, time is usually measured in seconds (s).
Yes, you can calculate distance travelled for an object moving at a constant speed. To do this, simply multiply the speed of the object by the amount of time it has been in motion.
If the speed of an object changes, the distance travelled by the object will also change. This is because the distance travelled is directly proportional to the speed of the object and the amount of time it has been in motion.
Distance travelled is a key concept in physics and is used in a wide range of real-world applications. It is used in transportation to calculate the total distance covered by vehicles and to estimate travel times. It is also used in sports to measure performance, in navigation to determine distances between locations, and in many other areas where the motion of objects needs to be measured and analyzed.
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