Motion and Graphs

Every object around you is either stationary, moving at constant speed, accelerating (speeding up), or decelerating (slowing down). The key difference between speed and velocity is that velocity includes direction - so a car turning a corner changes velocity even if its speed stays the same.

Distance-time graphs and velocity-time graphs are your main tools for describing motion. On velocity-time graphs, you can find acceleration by calculating the gradient (steepness) of the line. Want to know distance travelled? Just calculate the area under the line - it's that straightforward.

When it comes to vehicles, total stopping distance is crucial for road safety. This combines thinking distance (how far you travel while recognising a hazard) and braking distance (how far you travel while actually stopping). Understanding these concepts isn't just academic - they could literally save lives.

Quick Tip: Remember that on velocity-time graphs, a horizontal line means constant velocity, while a sloped line shows acceleration or deceleration!

The key formulas you'll need are: speed = distance ÷ time and acceleration = change in velocity ÷ time. These simple equations unlock the ability to solve most motion problems you'll encounter.