1.8 Interpreting Graphs

Front

What is a distance-time graph?

Back

A distance-time graph shows the distance traveled by an object over a period of time, with distance on the y-axis and time on the x-axis.

Front

How do you find the distance from a graph?

Back

To find the distance from a graph, locate the point on the graph corresponding to the time of interest and read the value on the y-axis.

Front

What does the y-intercept represent in a distance-time graph?

Back

The y-intercept represents the initial distance from the starting point at time zero.

Front

How do you determine the slope of a line on a graph?

Back

The slope is determined by the formula (change in y) / (change in x), representing the rate of change of distance with respect to time.

Front

What does a horizontal line on a distance-time graph indicate?

Back

A horizontal line indicates that the object is stationary and not moving.

Front

What does a steep slope on a distance-time graph indicate?

Back

A steep slope indicates a high speed, meaning the object is covering a large distance in a short amount of time.

Front

What does a downward slope on a distance-time graph indicate?

Back

A downward slope indicates that the object is returning to the starting point or moving backward.

Front

What are x-intercepts and y-intercepts?

Back

The x-intercept is where the graph crosses the x-axis (distance = 0), and the y-intercept is where the graph crosses the y-axis (time = 0).

Front

How can you tell if an object is speeding up on a distance-time graph?

Back

An object is speeding up if the slope of the graph is increasing over time.

Front

What does a flat line between two points on a distance-time graph indicate?

Back

A flat line indicates that the object is not moving during that time interval.