Average speed

Definition

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken to travel that distance. It is a scalar quantity and does not take direction into account.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Average speed can be calculated using the formula: $\text{average speed} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}}$.
2. It differs from average velocity, which considers displacement and direction.
3. Average speed is always a positive value since distance and time are both positive quantities.
4. The unit of average speed in the International System of Units (SI) is meters per second (m/s).
5. It provides an overall measure of how fast an object is moving over a period of time without considering changes in velocity.

Review Questions

• How do you calculate average speed?
• Why is average speed considered a scalar quantity?
• What is the SI unit for measuring average speed?

Related terms

Instantaneous Speed: The magnitude of the instantaneous velocity at any given moment.

Displacement:

A vector quantity that refers to an object's change in position from its initial point to its final point.

Velocity:

A vector quantity that describes both the rate of change of position and its direction.