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Speed-time vs Velocity-time Graphs

AQA AS-level PhysicsMotionLesson 12 of 17

A velocity-time graph shows direction as well as speed, so velocities in the opposite direction are plotted below the time axis. A speed-time graph never goes below the axis, because speed has no direction.

In a velocity-time graph the gradient is the acceleration and the area under the line is the displacement from the starting position. Areas below the time axis count as negative displacement.

Diagram

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