Science: Speed, Velocity and Acceleration

• Average Speed: distance travelled per unit of time (m/s)
• Velocity: displacement per unit of time (m/s)
• Average Speed is SCALAR, while velocity is a VECTOR

Distance-Speed-Time Triangles

• Usage:
  • Average Speed $=$ Distance $÷$ Time
  • Distance $=$ Average Speed $\times$ Time
  • Time $=$ Distance $÷$ Average Speed

Acceleration

• Acceleration is the rate at which an object’s velocity CHANGES
• Acceleration is measured in $m/s^2$ (metres per second squared)
• Acceleration can be found by dividing the applied force by the mass of the object
  • $a=F/m$

    

• Acceleration is a VECTOR quantity.