Learn and revise motion in a straight line, acceleration and motion graphs with BBC Bitesize Combined Science AQA Synergy study guide.

Key fact The gradient of speed-time and velocity-time graphs represent acceleration. The area under a speed-time graph represents the distance travelled.

Since the acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, I can then use the velocity values to find acceleration values. Now I can create the following plot of acceleration as a function of time ...

That straight-line plot cannot show the exact maximum velocity, because it just connects the known data points 10 meters apart. Now add calculus Schreiber, Getz and Smith show that using calculus, you ...