AQA GCSE Physics
AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship Exam Questions
Free AQA GCSE Physics exam questions for 4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship, with a mark scheme for every pack. Covers distance-time graphs, speed from the gradient, stationary and constant speed sections, and tangents for accelerating objects.
4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship exam questions
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About AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship
This AQA GCSE Physics section is about drawing and interpreting distance-time graphs. If an object moves along a straight line, the distance travelled can be shown on a distance-time graph, and the speed is the gradient. Higher tier only content asks you to draw a tangent to find the speed at a given time when the object is accelerating. It is examined on Paper 2. Examiners test reading values, describing motion from the shape of the graph and calculating gradients carefully with units.
What you need to know
- Distance-time graphs If an object moves along a straight line, the distance travelled can be represented by a distance-time graph, with distance on the y-axis and time on the x-axis.
- Speed from gradient The speed of an object can be calculated from the gradient of its distance-time graph: speed = change in distance / change in time.
- Shapes of the graph A horizontal line means stationary. A straight sloping line means constant speed. A steeper line means a faster speed. A curve means the speed is changing.
- Accelerating objects (Higher tier only) If an object is accelerating, its speed at any particular time can be found by drawing a tangent to the curve and measuring the gradient of the tangent.
- Drawing graphs Plot points accurately, use sensible scales that fill most of the grid, label axes with units and join with a straight line or smooth curve as appropriate.
Common mistakes in 4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship
- Reading the speed straight off the y-axis. Speed is the gradient, not the distance value.
- Using one point to calculate gradient (distance / time at a point) on a non-straight graph. Use a change in distance over a change in time, from a tangent if curved.
- Describing a horizontal line as constant speed. It means the object is stationary.
- Drawing a small triangle for the gradient. Use a large triangle to reduce reading errors.
Try three 4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship exam-style questions
1. A distance-time graph is a straight line from (0 s, 0 m) to (40 s, 200 m). Calculate the speed. (2 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Speed = gradient = 200 / 40; = 5.0 m/s.
2. Describe the motion shown by a distance-time graph that is a straight sloping line, then horizontal, then a steeper straight sloping line. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Moves at a constant speed; then is stationary; then moves at a greater constant speed.
3. Higher tier: Describe how to find the speed at a particular time from a curved distance-time graph. (3 marks)
Show the mark scheme answer
Draw a tangent to the curve at that time; draw a large triangle on the tangent and find change in distance and change in time; speed = change in distance / change in time (the gradient).
4.5.6.1.4 The Distance-Time Relationship FAQs
What does AQA GCSE Physics 4.5.6.1.4 The distance-time relationship cover?
It covers drawing and interpreting distance-time graphs, finding speed from the gradient and, for Higher tier, using tangents for accelerating objects.
Which part is Higher tier only?
Finding the speed of an accelerating object by drawing a tangent to a curved distance-time graph is Higher tier only.
How do I avoid mixing up distance-time and velocity-time graphs?
Always read the y-axis label first. On a distance-time graph the gradient is speed; on a velocity-time graph the gradient is acceleration.
