E-Activity 1

This example shows how we can describe a journey on a distance-time graph. Look at it carefully and use it to answer the questions.

1. Look at stage I of the journey, when Jane is walking.
a. How many metres does Jane walk?
b. How long does it take Jane to walk this distance?
c. What is her speed for this part of her journey?

2. Look at stage II of the journey.
a. What is Jane's speed while she chats?
b. Describe the shape of the graph for this stage.
c. Write down a rule for telling when something is stationary on a distance-time graph.

3.
a. Which part of the graph is steeper, I or III?
b. Which stage of the journey is faster, I or III?
c. What is the connection between speed and slope on a distance-time graph?

The slope of a distance-time graph tells you about the speed.
If the object is stationary, the graph is a horizontal line.
If the object has a higher speed, the graph has a steeper slope.