distance time graph

Distance Time Graph

Edited By Vishal kumar | Updated on Sep 24, 2024 09:48 PM IST

In this article we are going to learn about distance time graph, distance time graph for uniform motion , non uniform motion and body at rest and many more.

What is a Distance-Time Graph?

A distance-time graph depicts the distance travelled by an object in a given amount of time.

It's a straightforward line graph that depicts distance versus time findings.

Here, The Y-axis represents distance.
On the X-axis, time is shown.

Importance of Distance-Time Graph

When examining the motion of bodies, we use the distance-time graph.

A distance-time graph relating to the motion of a body can be obtained by recording distance and time for the motion of a body and plotting the same data on a rectangle graph.

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Distance Time Graph

Types of distance time graph

Uniform Motion:

The motion of an item in which the object moves along a straight line and its velocity remains constant along that line while it covers equal distances in equal intervals of time, regardless of the length of time, is referred to as this sort of motion.

The above diagram represents the distance time graph for uniform motion

Example of Uniform Motion:

When an automobile travels at a speed of 10 m/s, it travels 10 metres in one second.
Every second, the speed remains constant.
The blades of a ceiling fan move back and forth.

NCERT Physics Notes :

Non Uniform Motion:

The motion of an object in which the object travels at a variable speed and does not cover the same distance in equal time intervals, regardless of the time interval duration, is referred to as this sort of motion.

The above diagram shows Distance vs time graph for non uniform motion

Example of Non Uniform Motion:

If a car travels 10 metres in the first two seconds and 15 metres in the next two seconds, the total distance travelled is 15 metres.
A train's movement.

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Body at rest: When a body or object is at rest, than the distance time graph can be represent as follows:

Distance time graph for body at rest

The above diagram shows distance time graph for a body at rest

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What are the uses of distance time graph
1. The character of motion is seen at a glance.

2. Relative motion at different intervals is possible.

3. Without performing any calculations, the zone of acceleration or retardation can be calculated.

4. The distance of a moving body can be computed at any time unit.

Example:

Consider an example of uniform motion for a better understanding.

A bus driver maintains a constant speed, as shown by the speedometer, and records the time it takes the bus to travel each kilometre.

The bus's driver notes that it travels one kilometre every two minutes.

He had a good notion of the speed based on this table: ½ × 60 = 30 km/hr.

The graph is a straight line, and the bus's motion is also consistent.

We may also determine the bus's speed at any given time by looking at the graph.

The car's initial and final positions may be found as follows:

(Final Position-Initial Position)/Time = Speed

Drawing a rectangle anywhere near the straight line that governs the bus's speed will reveal the line's slope.

When an object is not moving, a horizontal line appears on the distance-time graph, indicating that the object is at rest.

Conclusion:

The following points can now be made:

The motion is uniform if the distance-time graph is a straight line.
If a person's distance-time graph is provided, the slope of the graph can be used to compute their speed.
The slope of a straight-line graph remains constant regardless of the interval used.
This means that the speed of an object moving at a constant rate remains constant.

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Examples and Descriptions of Distance Time Graphs

Take a look at the following diagrams to see how object movement differs.

distance time graph for decreasing speed

Increasing speed Decreasing speed

The changing speed is depicted by the first curved line on the distance time graph in physics.

The speed is growing or accelerating when a curve is upwards.
When the curve is downward, however, it indicates that the object's speed is slowing down.

You can compute the speed in each of these situations in the following manner.

In relation to the curve, draw a tangent.The gradient of the tangent is measured.

You can also use the formula below to figure out the speed.
Change in distance/change in time Equals speed = rise/run.

Remember that as the direction or magnitude of a vector changes, the quantity and velocity of the vector changes as well.

When studying circular motion, you'll need to understand this notion.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What Does a Distance Time Graph Tell Us About a Body's Motion?

The distance-time graph depicts how far a body travels in a given amount of time.

For example, in the case of uniform motion, the graph will be a straight line, however if the gradient increases, it indicates that the body is moving quickly.

The X-axis represents time, while the Y-axis represents distance, just like any other graph.

Students can calculate the speed and velocity of a body using this graph.

Furthermore, the area beneath the graph indicates the overall distance travelled by a body.

As a result, students may understand the following units using this graph without having to do any hard computations.

2. What Does a Straight Line on a Distance-Time Graph Mean?

On a distance time graph, a straight line indicates that an object is moving at a constant speed.

A non-moving stationary item can alternatively be thought of as a body travelling at a constant speed.

Remember that this graph does not contain a downward-sloping line because every moving object "increases" its length with time.

It does, however, if an object returns to its original location.

On the distance time graph, different lines represent different speeds and motions.

As a result, in addition to understanding what a straight line entails, students must also be aware of different deviations in order to grasp the ideas.

3. How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Distance-Time and a Speed-Time Graph?

There are some significant distinctions between distance time and speed-time graphs.

While the former indicates the overall distance travelled, the latter correctly depicts acceleration.

Aside from that, there are a few minor differences.

A velocity-time graph is also known as a speed-time graph.

These two graphs are equally significant in determining the flow and type of the movement through simple depiction.

However, time is plotted on a horizontal axis, while distance and speed are plotted on a vertical axis in both graphs.

4. What are the uses of distance time graph

1. The character of motion is seen at a glance.

2. Relative motion at different intervals is possible.

3. Without performing any calculations, the zone of acceleration or retardation can be calculated.

4. The distance of a moving body can be computed at any time unit.

5. What Does a Distance Time Graph Tell Us About a Body's Motion?

The distance-time graph depicts how far a body travels in a given amount of time.

For example, in the case of uniform motion, the graph will be a straight line, however if the gradient increases, it indicates that the body is moving quickly.

The X-axis represents time, while the Y-axis represents distance, just like any other graph.

Students can calculate the speed and velocity of a body using this graph.

Furthermore, the area beneath the graph indicates the overall distance travelled by a body.

As a result, students may understand the following units using this graph without having to do any hard computations.

6. What Does a Straight Line on a Distance-Time Graph Mean?

On a distance time graph, a straight line indicates that an object is moving at a constant speed.

A non-moving stationary item can alternatively be thought of as a body travelling at a constant speed.

Remember that this graph does not contain a downward-sloping line because every moving object "increases" its length with time.

It does, however, if an object returns to its original location.

On the distance time graph, different lines represent different speeds and motions.

As a result, in addition to understanding what a straight line entails, students must also be aware of different deviations in order to grasp the ideas.

7. How Do You Tell the Difference Between a Distance-Time and a Speed-Time Graph?

There are some significant distinctions between distance time and speed-time graphs.

While the former indicates the overall distance travelled, the latter correctly depicts acceleration.

Aside from that, there are a few minor differences.

A velocity-time graph is also known as a speed-time graph.

These two graphs are equally significant in determining the flow and type of the movement through simple depiction.

However, time is plotted on a horizontal axis, while distance and speed are plotted on a vertical axis in both graphs.

8. What are the uses of distance time graph

1. The character of motion is seen at a glance.

2. Relative motion at different intervals is possible.

3. Without performing any calculations, the zone of acceleration or retardation can be calculated.

4. The distance of a moving body can be computed at any time unit.