How Do You Calculate Distance Traveled Using a Speed/Time Graph?

[Trail_Builder]

bascially, not techinally a question, but some basic theory i need to know for the batch of qu's.

basically, i need to know how to find the distance traveled by something using a speed/time graph. i know this is area under it (curvey accerlation then constant speed then curvey retardation). so i what i though i'd do is split the graph into, accel., constant v, and retard. now i know how to find the distance traveled during constant v. but i not sure how to do with accerlation and retardation.

i know the accerlation to be 6.62m/s^2 for 2.9s and the retardation to be -1.2m/s^2 for 1s, or i 'think' it can be written as 1.2m/s^-2 ?

anyways, can someone please explain how i would find the distance traveled please :D and say if I am doint he wrong way too. thnx

 

[Hootenanny]

Is it a requirement of the problem that you are to solely use the s/t graph? Perhaps a kinematic equation would be more appropriate here. Have you met such equations before?

 

[Trail_Builder]

dont think i have, I'm only 16 and are doing the exam all other 16 year olds are doing.

well providing i could use this 'kinematic equation' i don't see why i shouldn't

i'm not exactly sure how i would find the distance traveled solely using the s/t time graph :S

thnx

 

[Hootenanny]

Have you seen something similar to these before; https://www.physicsforums.com/showpost.php?p=905663&postcount=2

 

[Trail_Builder]

no sorry, that above my level, so are there any other ways then?

thnx for all the help

 

[Hootenanny]

no sorry, that above my level, so are there any other ways then?

thnx for all the help

I suppose you could approximate the graph as a trapezium or various other shapes and calculate an approximate area; but I'm not sure. Perhaps someone with more knowlage of GCSE level questions could chip in here...

Just one more point;

i know the accerlation to be 6.62m/s^2 for 2.9s and the retardation to be -1.2m/s^2 for 1s, or i 'think' it can be written as 1.2m/s^-2 ?

-1.2m/s^2 \neq 1.2m/s^{-2}