Acceleration and Speed-Time Graphs

Acceleration measures how quickly velocity changes over time. You'll calculate it using the formula: a = $v-u$/t, where 'v' is final velocity, 'u' is initial velocity, and 't' is time. The units are metres per second squared $m/s²$.

Remember that acceleration is a vector quantity - it has both size and direction. When the value is negative, we call it deceleration because the object is slowing down.

Speed-time graphs are incredibly useful tools for analysing motion. The gradient (steepness) of the line tells you the acceleration - steeper lines mean greater acceleration. A horizontal line means zero acceleration, so the object moves at constant speed.

Here's a handy trick: the area underneath a speed-time graph gives you the distance travelled. For uniform motion, you'll see straight lines, while non-uniform motion creates curved lines.

Quick Tip: To find acceleration on a curved graph, draw a tangent line at the specific time you're interested in, then calculate its gradient using Δv/Δt.