Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction. The formula to calculate speed is:
Speed = Distance / Time
The most common unit of speed is meters per second (m/s). Other units include kilometers per hour (km/h) and miles per hour (mph).
To calculate speed, you need to know the distance traveled by the object and the time it took to travel that distance. For example, if a car travels 100 meters in 10 seconds, the speed would be:
Speed = 100 m / 10 s = 10 m/s
It's important to note that speed and velocity are not the same. While speed is a scalar quantity, velocity is a vector quantity as it includes both magnitude and direction. When calculating speed, only the distance traveled and the time taken are considered, whereas velocity takes into account the displacement and direction of the object's motion.
Here are some key points to remember about speed:
When studying speed, be sure to practice calculating speed using different units and scenarios. Understanding the distinction between speed and velocity is also important.