In a velocity-time graph, what does the gradient indicate?

In a velocity-time graph, the gradient represents acceleration. The gradient is calculated as the change in velocity divided by the change in time (rise over run), which directly relates to how quickly the velocity of an object changes. If the gradient is positive, the object is accelerating; if it's negative, the object is decelerating. On a flat section of the graph where the gradient is zero, it indicates that the object is moving at a constant velocity. This concept is essential for understanding how motion is represented graphically, as it allows one to interpret changes in the motion of an object over time.

Understanding acceleration is crucial in physics, as it helps to analyze how forces influence the motion of objects and predict their behavior under different conditions.