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Distancetime graphs - Exam Questions.docx

Built from the lesson script on 30 September 2026.

AQA GCSE PHYSICS · PAPER 2 · FOUNDATION & HIGHER

Exam Practice: Distance–time graphs

Distance–time graphs · Forces · Lesson 11 of 20 · 14 marks · 15 minutes

Name

Date

 

Instructions

• Answer all the questions.

• Write your answers in the spaces provided.

• The marks for each question are shown in brackets - use this as a guide to how much to write.

• The answers are on separate pages at the back. Attempt every question before you look at them.

• Answer all questions. Use the mark allocation as a guide to how much to write.

Question 1 USE THE GRAPH (4 marks)

The graph shows the distance travelled by a cyclist. (a) Calculate the speed in the first 20 s. (b) Describe the motion between 20 s and 40 s. (c) Calculate the speed between 40 s and 60 s.

(Total for Question 1 = 4 marks)

Question 2 STATE (2 marks)

Describe what the gradient of a distance–time graph represents and what a horizontal line shows.

(Total for Question 2 = 2 marks)

Question 3 CALCULATE (3 marks)

A car travels 120 m in 10 s at constant speed. Sketch a distance–time graph for this and calculate the gradient.

(Total for Question 3 = 3 marks)

Question 4 EXPLAIN (2 marks)

The distance–time graph for a runner is a curve that gets steeper. Describe the motion.

(Total for Question 4 = 2 marks)

Question 5 DETERMINE (3 marks)

The graph shows the distance of a car from a starting point against time as a curve. Describe how to find the speed at a particular time.

(Total for Question 5 = 3 marks)

TOTAL FOR PAPER = 14 MARKS

 

Answers and mark scheme

Check your answer only once you have written one.

Question 1 (4 marks)

(a) 100 ÷ 20 = 5.0 m/s. (b) Stationary. (c) 60 ÷ 20 = 3.0 m/s.

• 5.0 m/s 1 mark

• Stationary 1 mark

• Correct distance and time 1 mark

• 3.0 m/s 1 mark

Question 2 (2 marks)

The gradient is the speed. A horizontal line shows the object is stationary.

• Gradient is speed 1 mark

• Horizontal line: stationary 1 mark

Question 3 (3 marks)

A straight line from the origin to (10 s, 120 m). Gradient = 120 ÷ 10 = 12 m/s.

• Straight line from the origin 1 mark

• Correct end point 1 mark

• 12 m/s 1 mark

Question 4 (2 marks)

The runner is accelerating (the speed is increasing).

• Accelerating 1 mark

• Gradient or speed increases 1 mark

Question 5 (3 marks)

Draw a tangent to the curve at that time and calculate its gradient (change in distance ÷ change in time).

• Draw a tangent 1 mark

• Choose two points on the tangent 1 mark

• Gradient = change in distance ÷ change in time 1 mark