How to Find Speed from a Distance-Time Graph
To find the speed from a distance-time graph, you need to understand the relationship between distance, time, and speed. Here's a step-by-step guide on how you can do this:

Step 1: Understand the Graph
- Look at the distance-time graph and identify the distance and time axes.
- The distance is usually plotted on the y-axis, while time is plotted on the x-axis.
- The slope of the graph represents the speed of the object. A steeper slope indicates a higher speed, while a flatter slope indicates a lower speed.

Step 2: Calculate the Slope
- To calculate the slope of the graph, choose two points on the graph that lie on the line representing the motion.
- Determine the change in distance (Δy) and the change in time (Δx) between these two points.
- Calculate the slope using the formula: slope = Δy/Δx.

Step 3: Interpret the Slope
- The slope of the graph represents the speed of the object.
- If the slope is positive, the object is moving away from the origin.
- If the slope is negative, the object is moving towards the origin.
- The magnitude of the slope indicates the speed of the object. A larger slope corresponds to a higher speed.

Step 4: Convert Units
- Make sure to convert the units of distance and time to ensure that the speed is calculated correctly.
- For example, if the distance is in meters and time is in seconds, the speed will be in meters per second (m/s).
By following these steps, you can easily find the speed of an object from a distance-time graph. Remember to pay attention to the slope of the graph and make sure to interpret it correctly to determine the speed accurately.