MYP-YEAR: 4

UNIT 1: MECHANICS OF PHYSICS

GLOBAL CONTEXT:ORIENTATION IN SPACE AND TIME
Name: Date:
SOI- Understanding the relationships between movement of objects with respect to space and time
has improved human’s way of living.
LEARNING GOAL – Understand and interpret distance-time graphs

What you need to know

Distance-time graphs are a way of visually expressing a journey. With distance on the y-axis and
time on the x-axis, a distance-time graph tells us how far someone/something has travelled and how
long it took them/it to do so. 

Make sure you are happy with the following topics before continuing:

– Gradients of Straight Line Graphs

– Drawing Straight Line Graphs

– Speed distance time 

Distance time graphs – Key thinks to remember: 

1) The gradient of the line = speed

2) The steeper the graph the greater the speed
3) Flat section means no speed (stopped)
4) Negative gradient = returning to start point (coming back)

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 The graph below describes a journey that has several parts to it, each represented by a different
straight line.

Part A:  09:00−11:00, the person travelled 30 km away from their home and that took
them 22 hours.

Part B:  11:00−12:00, we can see that the line is flat, so their distance from home did not change –
they were stationary.

Part C:  12:00−12:30, they moved a further 30 km away from their home.

Part D:  12:30−14:00, they travelled the full 60 km back to where they began.

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 ]

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 Example

Valentina is going for a bike ride. Below is a distance-time graph that describes her full journey.

a) How long was she stationary for?

She was stationary for 7.5 minutes
b) What was the total distance travelled during her journey?
5 + 20 + 25 = 50km
c) What was her average speed in kilometres per hour between 17:15 and 17:45?
30 minutes  hours
30/60 = 0.5hours

20
0.5
= 40 km/hr

PSG/MYP /YEAR- 4/PHYSICS/UNIT 1/WS 6 /NP/VK/AD/KS/2022

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 Question 2: Below is a distance-time graph describing a 1500 m race run by Chris. Work out the
maximum speed he reached during this run to 3 significant figures.
 

Mph = miles per hour

1st lap = 0 – 72s (600 miles) 2nd lap = 72 – 180s (280 miles) 3rd lap = 180 – 282s (640 miles)
Average speed = 600/1.2 Average speed = 280/1.8 Average speed = 640/1.7
= 500 mph = 156 mph = 376 mph

Maximum speed reached by her was on her first lap

Question 3: A cyclist on a training ride records the distance she travels away from home. The data
only shows the first 150 minutes of the ride before her cycling computer ran out of battery. 

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 (a) How far did she ride in the first 150 minutes.
- She rode 38 km in the first 150 minutes
 
(b) For how long was she stationary
- She was stationary for 30 minutes

Question 4: A car journey on a day trip to the coast is recorded. (a) Work out the maximum speed
over the course of the trip. 

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 9 – 10 10 :30 – 12
Average speed = 40/1 Average speed = 26/1.5
= 4 km/ph = 17 km/ph

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