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Understanding Speed and Velocity in Physics

Learn the difference between speed and velocity, their formulas, units of measure, and how to calculate them. Understand how to interpret graphs to determine speed. Practice calculating speed and velocity with real-life examples.

richardholmes
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Understanding Speed and Velocity in Physics

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  1. Speed and Velocity

  2. SPEED • Speed is the change in position of an object per unit of time. • Speedalways has a positive value and is non-directional. • Constant speed means the speed does not change during a given time interval. • Formula: Speed = distance = d time t

  3. Speed: Units of Measure • SI UNIT: meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h) • Example 1: If a car travels 90 kilometers in one hour, then the car is traveling at a speed of 90 km/h. • Example 2: If an ant moves 2 centimeters in one second, then the ant is traveling at a speed of 2 cm/s.

  4. Graphs • If an object is moving at a steady (constant) speed, it means we expect the same increase in distance in a given time.

  5. Graphs • When distance does not change, an object is stationary – that means, it is not moving.

  6. What can slope tell us? Both the lines show that each object moved the same distance, but the steeper yellow line got there before the other one: A steeper slope indicates a larger distance moved in a given time. In other words, higher speed. Both lines have a constant slope, so both speeds are constant.

  7. Speed vs. Velocity Now you know what speed is – so what is velocity? Is it the same as speed? Similar? Different?

  8. VELOCITY • Velocity is speed in a given direction. • Velocity can have a positive (+) or negative (-) value depending on the change in direction. • Directions can also include left, right, North, West, East, South • Formula: distance ÷ time, with direction

  9. Practice Speed • A cyclist travels 32 kilometers in 2 hours. What is his speed? 2. A car travels 300 miles in 5 hours. At what speed was the car traveling? • An insect travels 15 inches in 3 seconds. Find it’s speed. Velocity • A car travels 15 meters eastward in 3 seconds. What is the velocity? • A bus travels 350 miles north from Virginia to Maryland in 7 hours. What is the velocity?

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