Question pattern · Knowledge card
Position–time graph analysis
Read position from the vertical axis and velocity from graph gradient; changes in gradient describe changes in velocity rather than changes in position alone.
- Primary skill
- Calculate & apply
- Original practice questions
- 2
Connect the ideas
Key relationships and graph reading
- Average velocity = secant gradient Δx / Δt
- Instantaneous velocity = tangent gradient
- A horizontal position–time segment means the object is at rest
Check your method
Three common mistakes
- Reading graph height as velocity.
- Calling a horizontal segment zero position.
- Ignoring negative gradient when the object reverses direction.
Original micro-example
Try the idea in miniature
A straight position–time segment runs from x = 2 m at t = 1 s to x = 8 m at t = 4 s.
Show the short answer
Its velocity is the gradient: (8 − 2) / (4 − 1) = +2 m s⁻¹.
Original practice questions
Practise this question pattern
The pattern describes the reasoning structure. Each link below opens a distinct original practice question.
Medium6 marks
Piecewise position–time journey
Calculate & apply
Start original questionMedium4 marks
Average and instantaneous velocity
Calculate & apply
Start original question