# A cyclist rides along a straight road. For the first part of the journey, the cyclist accelerates from rest to a steady speed. The cyclist then maintains this steady speed before slowing to a stop at a set of traffic lights. Describe what a velocity-time graph of this entire journey would look like, and state what feature of the graph could be used to find the total distance travelled.

> Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1) — 1.2 Movement and position · Describe · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. The first section of the graph is a straight line with a positive gradient (sloping upward from zero), showing the cyclist accelerating from rest.
2. The second section is a horizontal straight line (zero gradient), showing the cyclist travelling at constant/steady speed.
3. The final section is a straight line with a negative gradient (sloping downward) back to zero velocity, showing the cyclist decelerating to a stop.
4. The total distance travelled is found from the area under the line / area between the line and the time axis.

## Key terms

- [velocity-time graph](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/velocity-time-graph)
- [distance](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/distance)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Pearson Edexcel International GCSE Physics (4PH1)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Describe" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-cyclist-rides-along-a-straight-3aebe6d3) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.