Motion Graphs Distance-Time and Speed-Time
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Motion Graphs Distance-Time and Speed-Time — Free MYP4 Physics Practice Questions

1QuestionInterpreting Distance-Time GraphsConcept Practice
2 marks~3 minCriterion A
A runner's motion over 20 seconds is shown in the distance–time graph below.

Segment A: 0–5 s, horizontal at 0 m.
Segment B: 5–12 s, rises from 0 m to 40 m.
Segment C: 12–20 s, rises from 40 m to 100 m.
a
State the speed of the runner during Segment A. [1]
b
Deduce which segment, B or C, represents faster motion. Support your answer with calculated speeds. [1]
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2QuestionInterpreting Distance-Time GraphsAssessment Practice
5 marks~8 minCriterion A
A cyclist's motion over 40 seconds is shown in the distance–time graph below.

Segment A: t=0t = 0 s to t=10t = 10 s, distance increases from 0 m to 50 m.
Segment B: t=10t = 10 s to t=20t = 20 s, distance remains constant at 50 m.
Segment C: t=20t = 20 s to t=40t = 40 s, distance increases from 50 m to 150 m.
a
Deduce the speed of the cyclist during Segment A. [1]
b
Interpret what the gradient of Segment B tells you about the cyclist's motion, and calculate the speed during Segment C. [2]
c
Analyse how the gradients of Segments A and C compare, and evaluate what this reveals about the cyclist's motion across the full 40 seconds. [2]
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3QuestionInterpreting Speed-Time GraphsAssessment Practice
8 marks~12 minCriterion D
A car approaches a traffic intersection equipped with an automated braking system. The speed-time graph below shows the car's motion over 10 seconds. The automated system activates at t=6 st = 6\ \text{s}, when the car is exactly 50 m from the intersection.
a
Interpret the motion of the car during each time interval: 00 to 2 s2\ \text{s}, 22 to 6 s6\ \text{s}, and 66 to 10 s10\ \text{s}. [3]
b
Calculate the distance the car travels between t=6 st = 6\ \text{s} and t=10 st = 10\ \text{s}, and deduce whether the car stops before reaching the intersection. [2]
c
Evaluate the effectiveness of the automated braking system, using evidence from the graph and considering reaction time, deceleration, and sensor reliability. [3]
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4QuestionDescribing Motion Qualitatively and QuantitativelyAssessment Practice
8 marks~12 minCriterion D
A self-driving car travels at 20 m/s20 \text{ m/s} when a pedestrian steps into the road 60 m60 \text{ m} ahead. The sensor system has a reaction time of 0.2 s0.2 \text{ s} before braking begins. Two braking profiles are available: a smooth profile with constant deceleration 3.0 m/s23.0 \text{ m/s}^2, and an emergency profile with constant deceleration 8.0 m/s28.0 \text{ m/s}^2.
a
Calculate the total stopping distance for the smooth braking profile. Use v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as to find the braking distance. [3]
b
Deduce, using a calculation for the emergency profile, which braking profile prevents a collision. [3]
c
Evaluate whether programming the smooth profile as the default is ethically justifiable, considering how risk is distributed between passengers and pedestrians and how real-world conditions affect the reliability of the stopping-distance model. [2]
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5QuestionCalculating Acceleration and Area Under GraphsAssessment Practice
8 marks~12 minCriterion C
A cyclist starts from rest and accelerates uniformly from rest along a straight road. The velocity–time graph below shows the cyclist's motion over 10 seconds. Air resistance is negligible.
a
Deduce the cyclist's acceleration during the first 6 seconds. [2]
b
The cyclist's coach claims that the acceleration is constant throughout the entire 10 seconds. Justify this claim using values calculated from the graph. [2]
c
A second cyclist travels the same 10-second journey at a constant velocity equal to the average velocity of the first cyclist. Analyse which cyclist covers more distance, and explain what this reveals about the motion of the first cyclist. [4]
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