Speed and acceleration

• The speed of an object is defined as the distance it travels per second. The units for speed are metres per second (m/s).
• The equation for speed is:

  speed = distance / time
• Key speeds to memorise:

  • walker = 1.5m/s
  • runner = 3m/s
  • cyclist = 6m/s
  • speed of sound in air = 330m/s
• Acceleration is the change in velocity per unit time. The unit for acceleration is metres per second squared (m/s^2).
• The equation for acceleration is:

  acceleration = change in velocity / time