Velocity-Time Graphs and the Area Underneath

Lab Brief #5

🎯 Your mission

Learn the rule. Then catch nature using it.

⚡ The twist

Nature loves to surprise the careful watcher.

What you'll learn

On a velocity-time graph the gradient gives acceleration and the area under the line gives displacement. A trapezium under the line is often the quickest way to find how far something travelled while speeding up.

Key words

velocity-time graph
A plot of velocity against time; its gradient is acceleration.
area under the graph
On a velocity-time graph, the displacement travelled.

Make a hypothesis first

Before you start: write down what you think will happen, and why.

Say your guess out loud — then find out if you were right.

Step 1 of 4 · Read

Think about what you just learned: say what "velocity-time graph" and "area under the graph" mean in your own words before you start.

Step 2 of 4 · Do

Sketch a velocity-time graph for a bus that accelerates from rest to 12 m/s in 6 s, holds that speed for 10 s, then brakes to rest in 4 s. Find the displacement by splitting the area into a triangle, a rectangle and a triangle, and check your total against the trapezium rule.

Step 3 of 4 · Observe

Record what actually happened, including anything that did not match what you expected.

Step 4 of 4 · Record

Write a conclusion that answers the question this lesson opened with, and state your uncertainty.

Question 1 of 2

On a velocity-time graph, the area under the line gives:

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Question 2 of 2

A bus holds 12 m/s for 10 s. How far does it travel in that phase?

How sure are you?😐 maybe

Mind = blown

🔬 The more you look, the more nature shows you.

Nice work!

You got 0 of 2 right.

Next: The Equations of Motion All lessons

🎯

Next Smart Experiment

We'll pick an experiment that matches exactly how you're thinking right now.

✨ More to explore

🌍 Where you see this in real life: This shows up in your everyday life more than you'd think.

🏆 Stretch challenge (try it this week): Try one experiment in real life this week — even a tiny one.

👨‍👩‍👧 For the dinner table: “What's the most surprising thing you learned today?”

🏎️Share card

Share this experiment

Send it to a parent who's looking for a 10-minute kitchen science win.

Velocity-Time Graphs and the Area Underneath

Next Smart Experiment

Share this experiment

Velocity-Time Graphs and the Area Underneath

Done with science? Try something else

Your Cart (0)