What does the gradient of a distance-time graph represent?

The gradient of a distance-time graph represents speed because it indicates how quickly an object is covering distance over time. When you calculate the gradient, or slope, of the graph, you are effectively determining the rate of change of distance with respect to time.

A steeper gradient indicates that an object is moving faster, while a flatter gradient shows that it is moving more slowly. The gradient itself is a measure of speed, which is defined as the distance traveled per unit of time, without regard for the direction of movement.

In the context of distance-time graphs, since only distance and time are involved, the value obtained from the gradient directly pertains to the concept of speed. Understanding this allows you to analyze motion more clearly by interpreting how distance changes with time visually.