A distance-time graph shows how the distance of an object from a reference point changes over time. The y-axis represents the distance, and the x-axis represents the time. The slope of the line at any point gives you the speed of the object at that instant.
A speed-time graph, on the other hand, illustrates how the speed of an object changes over time. Here, the y-axis represents the speed, and the x-axis represents the time. The slope of the line indicates the acceleration of the object, and the area under the curve represents the distance traveled.
| Feature | Distance-Time Graph | Speed-Time Graph |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Shows how distance changes with time. | Shows how speed changes with time. |
| Axes | Y-axis: Distance, X-axis: Time | Y-axis: Speed, X-axis: Time |
| Slope | Speed ($v = \frac{\Delta d}{\Delta t}$) | Acceleration ($a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$) |
| Area under the curve | No specific physical quantity | Distance travelled |
| Straight Horizontal Line | Object is stationary | Object is moving at a constant speed |
Please log in to post your answer.
Log InEarn 2 Points for answering. If your answer is selected as the best, you'll get +20 Points! π