Area under a Velocity-Time Graph (Edexcel IGCSE Physics)

Area under a velocity-time graph

How to find the area under a velocity-time graph

• The area under a velocity-time graph represents the displacement (or distance travelled) by an object

The displacement, or distance travelled, is represented by the area beneath the graph

• If the area beneath the velocity-time graph forms a triangle (i.e. the object is accelerating or decelerating), then the area can be determined by using the following formula:

Area = ½ × Base × Height

• If the area beneath the velocity-time graph forms a rectangle (i.e. the object is moving at a constant velocity), then the area can be determined by using the following formula:

Area = Base × Height

How to find distance from a velocity-time graph

• Enclosed areas under velocity-time graphs represent total displacement (or total distance travelled) in a time interval

Three enclosed areas (two triangles and one rectangle) under this velocity-time graph represent the total distance travelled in the total time

• If an object moves with constant acceleration, its velocity-time graph will consist of straight lines

  • In this case, calculate the distance travelled by working out the area of enclosed rectangles and triangles

  • The area of each enclosed section represents the distance travelled in that particular interval of time

  • The total distance travelled is the sum of all the individual enclosed areas