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Velocity and Speed

Author:Georgina Rofique

Speed

Speed is just a number which says how fast an object is moving. For example: the car was moving at a speed of 10 m/s.

Velocity

Velocity is a number and a direction. It says how fast the object is moving and in what direction. For example: the car was moving at a velocity of 10 m/s south-east; or: the lift was moving with a velocity of - 3.6 m/s. (In the last example, the information about direction is in the minus sign: it tells us that the lift is moving downwards.)

Average Velocity and Instantaneous Velocity

The average velocity* is the velocity* averaged over the whole journey. The instantaneous velocity* is the velocity* at one instant of time.

Velocity

Question 1

A man runs after a bus. The bus is travelling at an average speed of 5 m/s. The man runs 25 m in 6 s. Does he catch the bus?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
Check my answer (3)

Question 2

What is the vertical axis in a distance-time graph?

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  • A
  • B
  • C
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Questoin 3

What does a steep line correspond to in a distance-time graph?

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  • A
  • B
  • C
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Question 4

If a car increases in velocity from +5 m/s to +15 m/s in three seconds, what is its acceleration?

Select all that apply
  • A
  • B
  • C
Check my answer (3)

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