Reading Distance-Time Graphs
Read and plot distance-time graphs for moving objects; interpret the gradient (steepness) of a line as speed; identify stationary periods (horizontal sections), constant speed (straight diagonal lines), and relative speeds by comparing gradients; calculate average speed from the gradient of a straight-line segment using speed = distance ÷ time
Teaching approaches
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1 approach
A distance-from-start-time graph shows how far a traveler is from a fixed starting point as time passes. Slope magnitude represents speed; a horizontal segment means the position is unchanged.
Read and annotate a short journey graph, then sketch a graph from a written journey story.
Learning resources
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1 before · 2 after
Before
This concept
Check understanding
- Read a distance-time graph and describe what is happening at each stage — moving, stopped, returning
- Calculate speed from the gradient of a straight section of a distance-time graph
- Sketch a distance-time graph from a written description of a journey with stops and speed changes
“If your child sees a distance-time graph of a journey with a flat section in the middle, can they explain what was happening then — and point to which part of the graph shows the fastest speed?”
Curriculum record
- Type
- Representational
- Subject
- Science
- Domain
- Forces & Motion
- Age range
- Ages 10–13