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GCSE Physics · key term
The change in the vertical quantity divided by the corresponding change in the horizontal quantity.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.5.6.1.4 · Paper 2
The change in the vertical value divided by the change in the horizontal value; on a distance–time graph, it gives speed.
Revise: The distance–time relationshipThe gradient, or steepness, tells you the speed: divide the change in distance by the time taken.
Specification 2.7, 2.10 · Paper 1
The change in the vertical coordinate divided by the corresponding change in the horizontal coordinate; on a distance–time graph it represents speed.
Revise: Distance/Time GraphsA straight sloping line has a constant gradient, so it represents constant speed. A steeper line represents a larger change in distance each second and therefore a greater speed.
The change in the vertical coordinate divided by the change in the horizontal coordinate.
Specification P2.1b, P2.1e · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
Revise: Calculating speedOn a straight section, the gradient is constant, so the speed is constant. A steeper section represents a greater speed. A horizontal section has zero gradient: time passes but distance does not change, so the object is stationary.
The change in the vertical quantity divided by the change in the horizontal quantity.
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Analyzing Motion with GraphsIf distance is measured in metres and time in seconds, the gradient is measured in metres per second, m/s.
Read the units on both axes before calculating a gradient: metres divided by seconds gives m/s, while kilometres divided by minutes gives km/min.
Choose two well-separated points on the line or tangent when calculating a gradient; they need not both be measured points.
When comparing graphs with different axis scales, calculate the gradients rather than judging the apparent angles.
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