Speed

Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving. It is the distance traveled by an object in a specific amount of time.

Formulas for Calculating Speed

The formula for calculating speed is:

Speed = Distance / Time

Where:

• Speed is measured in units such as meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
• Distance is the length of the path traveled by the object, measured in units such as meters (m) or kilometers (km).
• Time is the duration of the travel, measured in units such as seconds (s) or hours (h).

Types of Speed

There are different types of speed:

• Instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a specific instant in time.
• Constant speed is when an object travels the same distance in the same amount of time, without changing its speed.
• Variable speed is when an object's speed changes over time, such as when a car accelerates or decelerates.

Units of Speed

Common units of speed include:

• Meters per second (m/s)
• Kilometers per hour (km/h)
• Miles per hour (mph)

Examples

Here are some examples of calculating speed:

Example 1: A car travels 100 kilometers in 2 hours. Calculate its speed.

Speed = Distance / Time

Speed = 100 km / 2 h = 50 km/h

Therefore, the speed of the car is 50 kilometers per hour.

Example 2: A runner covers a distance of 400 meters in 40 seconds. Calculate the runner's speed.

Speed = Distance / Time

Speed = 400 m / 40 s = 10 m/s

Therefore, the runner's speed is 10 meters per second.

Conclusion

Understanding speed is important in various aspects of everyday life, from calculating travel time to designing vehicles for efficient transportation. By knowing the formula for speed and its different types, you can better understand and apply the concept of speed in real-world situations.

[Speed] Related Worksheets and Study Guides:

• SoundScience • Eighth Grade