This pdf explains how to calculate the average by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time. The average speed of an object is the total distance traveled by the object divided by the elapsed time to cover that distance. It's a scalar quantity which means it is defined only by magnitude.
1. TEKS 6.8C: Calculate average speed using distance and time measurements. How Do You Calculate Average Speed? • If you know the distance an object travels in a certain amount of time, you can calculate the speed of the object. • Speed is a type of rate. A rate is a measurement of something that occurs or changes in one unit of time. • The speed of an object is the distance the object travels per unit of time. Speed = Distance/Time Identify What Whatmeasurement measurementofofan anobject’s object’sspeed speedchanges changesininone oneunit unitofof time? (contd.)
2. TEKS 6.8C: Calculate average speed using distance and time measurements. How Do You Calculate Average Speed? • To calculate average speed, divide the total distance traveled by the total time. • For example, suppose a cyclist travels 32 kilometers during the first 2 hours. Then, the cyclist travels 13 kilometers during the next hour. The average speed of the cyclist is the total distance divided by the total time. • Total distance = 32 km + 13 km = 45 km • Total time= 2 h + 1 h = 3 h • Average speed = 45 km/3 h = 15 km/h Calculate What Whatwould wouldthe thecyclist’s cyclist’saverage averagespeed speedbe beififhe heororshe sherode rode60 60kilometers kilometersinin hours?11
3. TEKS 6.8C: Calculate average speed using distance and time measurements. What Is Instantaneous Speed? • Instantaneous speed is the rate at which an object is moving at a given instant in time. • A cyclometer can calculate both average and instantaneous speed. Compareand andContrast Contrast Explain Explainwhy whythe theinstantaneous instantaneousspeed speedand andthe the averagespeed speedshown shownare aredifferent. different.