Speed and Velocity

Speed and Velocity

1. Speed and Velocity both measure how fast you are going and are both measured in m/s

   • Speed is more simple than velocity, this is due to not having a direction to travel in
     • Velocity must have a direction, for example 40mph north

2. Velocity acceleration and displacement are called vector quantities, this is because they have a magnitude (size) and a direction

3. Formula for Speed= distance/time

4. In the exam when you are asked to work out the velocity, you have to write a direction because you will only get half marks, velocity is half speed, half direction

5. Acceleration is how quickly velocity is changing

   • Velocity can change by a change in the speed, direction or both

6. Formula for Acceleration= Change in Velocity/Time taken

   • To work out the 'change in velocity' you need to take the final velocity away from the initial velocity of the object
   • Acceleration is measured in m/s2 (squared)