IGCSE Physics Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Study Resource

Question: 1 / 400

What does the gradient of a distance-time graph represent?

Acceleration

Speed

The gradient of a distance-time graph represents speed because it indicates how quickly distance changes with respect to time. On such a graph, the y-axis typically represents distance, while the x-axis represents time.

When you calculate the gradient (or slope) of the graph, you are essentially dividing the change in distance by the change in time (rise over run). This result gives you the speed, which can be interpreted as how many meters are traveled per second, for instance. A steeper gradient suggests a higher speed, while a gentle slope indicates a slower speed.

This relationship is foundational in physics as it allows one to visualize and quantify motion. Understanding this concept helps in analyzing various types of motion effectively.

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Distance

Time

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