AQA · GCSE · Physics
Course version: 8463 · Version from Sept 2016
(HT only) The distance travelled by an object (or displacement of an…
Full specification wording
Acceleration: (HT only) The distance travelled by an object (or displacement of an object) can be calculated from the area under a velocity–time graph.
Multiply a velocity by a time and you get a distance, which is why the area between the line and the time axis on a velocity-time graph is the distance travelled.
Checked against the AQA 8463 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 17 of 23
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Multiply a velocity by a time and you get a distance, which is why the area between the line and the time axis on a velocity-time graph is the distance travelled. For straight-line sections, split the area into rectangles and triangles: a rectangle is velocity multiplied by time, and a triangle is half the base multiplied by the height. An object accelerating uniformly from rest to 12 m/s in 6.0 s covers 36 m. Where the line curves, count squares instead: work out what one square represents by multiplying the value of one square on each axis, count the squares under the line, counting a part square if more than half of it lies underneath, then multiply. An area below the time axis represents motion in the opposite direction.
What earns the marks
- Identifying the area under the line as the distance travelled.
- Splitting that area into rectangles and triangles, or for a stated value of one square.
- The separate areas calculated and added.
- The total distance with its unit.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Using the gradient when the question asks for a distance.
Finding the area of the triangle only and ignoring the rectangle beneath it.
Counting squares without working out what one square represents.
Forgetting the half in the area of a triangle.
Exam tips
- Divide the shape with a vertical line and label each part before calculating.
- State the value of one square explicitly, because it is a mark on its own.
Try the lesson
The start of the Acceleration: (HT only) The distance travelled by an object (or displacement of an object) can be calculated from the area under a velocity–time graph. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A velocity–time graph shows a straight line from (0 s, 0 m/s) to (4 s, 8 m/s). What distance does the object travel in the 4 s?
Listen
Multiply a velocity by a time and you get a distance, which is why the area between the line and the time axis on a velocity-time graph is the distance travelled. For straight-line sections, split the area into rectangles and triangles: a rectangle is velocity multiplied by time, and a triangle is half the base multiplied by the height. An object accelerating uniformly from rest to 12 m/s in 6.0 s covers 36 m. Where the line curves, count squares instead: work out what one square represents by multiplying the value of one square on each axis, count the squares under the line, counting a part square if more than half of it lies underneath, then multiply. An area below the time axis represents motion in the opposite direction. A strong answer earns marks for these points. identifying the area under the line as the distance travelled. splitting that area into rectangles and triangles, or for a stated value of one square. the separate areas calculated and added. the total distance with its unit. Exam tip: Divide the shape with a vertical line and label each part before calculating.
See it
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
area under a graph
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distance travelled
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rectangles and triangles
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See every definition
- area under a graph
- The region between the line and the time axis on a velocity–time graph, from which the distance travelled can be calculated.
- distance travelled
- The quantity calculated from the area under a velocity–time graph, or from the area below the time axis for motion in the opposite direction.
- rectangles and triangles
- The shapes into which the area under straight-line sections is split, a rectangle being velocity multiplied by time and a triangle half the base multiplied by the height.
Label the diagram
Some boxes have lost their names. Pick the right name for each number.
1Box 1
2Box 2
3Box 3
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