What Is the Equation for Speed?
Quick Answer
The most common equation for speed is: speed = distance / time. It can also be expressed as the time derivative of the distance traveled. Mathematically, it can be written as v = s/t, or v = (ds/dt), where speed is denoted by v, distance is denoted by s, and time is denoted by t. In case of uniform velocity, the first equation is used.
Continue Reading
Full Answer
Speed is often confused with velocity and is thought to have the same meaning. In terms of physics, speed and velocity are two different things. Speed is a scalar quantity, which means that there is no direction attached with its definition and only represents the magnitude of its velocity. Velocity is a vector quantity and represents both the speed of an object and its direction. For example if a car travels north at 40 miles per hour, then its speed is 40 miles per hour and its velocity is 40 miles per hour to the north.
Speed is associated with the concept of distance, whereas velocity is associated with displacement. Distance, a scalar quantity, represents the length an object has covered during its time of motion. Displacement, a vector quantity, represents how far the object has moved away from its initial position during its time of motion.
Learn more about Motion & MechanicsRelated Questions
-
Q:
How Are Speed, Distance and Time Related?
A: The speed of an object is equal to the distance traveled divided by the time. This is equivalent to the statement that as the time taken to travel a distan... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is Average Speed?
A: Average speed indicates how fast a vehicle travels over a specific distance in a certain amount of time. This contrasts with instantaneous speed, which rev... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is the Relationship Between Speed, Distance and Time?
A: The speed of an object is equal to the distance traveled divided by the time taken to travel that distance. The faster an object is moving, the further it ... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What Is the Equation for Centrifugal Force?
A: The equation for centrifugal force is Fc = mv2/r, where m equals the mass of an object, v is the speed and r is the radius, or distance from the center. Ce... Full Answer >Filed Under:
