Average speed

Definition

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. It gives a scalar measure of how fast an object is moving overall along its path.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The formula for average speed is $\text{average speed} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}}$.
2. Average speed does not account for changes in velocity or direction.
3. It is different from average velocity, which considers displacement rather than total distance.
4. Units for average speed are typically meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h).
5. In uniform motion, average speed equals instantaneous speed.

Review Questions

• What is the formula for calculating average speed?
• How does average speed differ from average velocity?
• If a car travels 150 km in 3 hours, what is its average speed?

Related terms

Velocity:

The rate at which an object changes its position; it includes both magnitude and direction.

Instantaneous Speed: The speed of an object at a particular moment in time.

Displacement:

The change in position of an object; it is a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction.