One of the most basic things students do in a physics lab is to collect data and use that to build a model. Most of these models come in the form of a mathematical function. But here is the problem.

Distance-time graphs show distance on the vertical axis and time on the horizontal axis. The gradient of a distance-time graph represents speed because gradient = \( \frac{\text{change in ...

In a distance-time graph, the gradient of the line is equal to the speed of the object. The greater the gradient (and the steeper the line) the faster the object is moving.