Area Under Velocity-Time Graphs (AQA GCSE Physics)

The graph below shows how the velocity of a train changes with time as the train travels along a straight section of the journey.

Estimate the distance travelled by the train along this section of the journey.

Answer:

Step 1: Identify whether distance can be determined exactly or by estimation

• The train is moving with changing acceleration because the velocity-time graph is a curve

• This means the distance should be estimated by counting squares underneath the curve

Step 2: Determine how much distance is represented by each square on the graph

• The area of each square on the graph can be calculated by using the equation:

Area = Base × Height

Area = 100 × 5 = 500

• Therefore, the distance represented by each square is 500 m

Step 3: Write down the total number of squares underneath the curve

• There are approximately 17 squares underneath the curve (including non-whole squares)

Step 4: Determine the total estimated distance 

• The total estimated distance is found by multiplying the number of squares by the distance represented by each square:

Total estimated distance = Number of squares × Distance represented by each square

Total estimated distance = 17 × 500 = 8500 m

The velocity-time graph below shows a car journey which lasts for 160 seconds.

Calculate the total distance travelled by the car on this journey.

Answer:

Step 1: Recall that the area under a velocity-time graph represents the distance travelled

• In order to calculate the total distance travelled, the total area underneath the line must be determined

Step 2: Identify each enclosed area

• In this example, there are five enclosed areas under the line

• These can be labelled as areas 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, as shown in the image below:

Step 3: Calculate the area of each enclosed shape under the line

• Area 1 = area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 40 × 17.5 = 350 m

• Area 2 = area of a rectangle = base × height = 30 × 17.5 = 525 m

• Area 3 = area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 20 × 7.5 = 75 m

• Area 4 = area of a rectangle = base × height = 20 × 17.5 = 350 m

• Area 5 = area of a triangle = ½ × base × height = ½ × 70 × 25 = 875 m

Step 4: Calculate the total distance travelled by finding the total area under the line

• Add up each of the five areas enclosed:

total distance = 350 + 525 + 75 + 350 + 875

total distance = 2175 m

Whenever you are asked to determine the distance using a velocity-time graph, start by stating that the distance = the area under the graph. A common mistake is to try and find distance by using the equation for speed, distance and time - but this equation will not work if the object's speed is changing. In this case, you can only estimate the distance travelled by approximating the area under the graph (counting squares).