Pearson Edexcel International GCSE (9–1) · PHYSICS · Section
Area under a velocity-time graph gives distance travelled
16 practice questions
Practice questions
1–3 of 3 · Hard
Question 1
5 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →The velocity–time graph below shows the motion of an object moving in a straight line over 12 seconds.
Velocity–time graph for an object (a)[4 marks]Calculate the total distance travelled by the object during the 12 seconds. Show your working using the area under the graph.
(b)[1 mark]Explain why the total distance travelled and the displacement of the object are equal or not equal for this motion.
Question 2
4 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A trolley starts from rest and accelerates steadily. After 2 s, its velocity is 4 m/s, and after a further 3 s, its velocity is 10 m/s.
(a)[2 marks]Sketch a velocity–time graph for the motion of the trolley for the first 5 seconds.
(b)[2 marks]Calculate the total distance travelled by the trolley in 5 seconds by finding the total area under the velocity–time graph.
Question 3
4 marks · Hard
Answer and see the solution →A go-kart travels with constant velocity for 2 seconds, then slows down uniformly to a stop in the next 3 seconds.
(a)[2 marks]The initial velocity is 8 m/s. Draw a labelled velocity–time graph for the go-kart’s motion over the 5 seconds.
(b)[2 marks]Using your graph, calculate the total distance travelled by the go-kart during the 5 seconds. Show your working.