You calculate how fast something is moving by determining its speed, which is the distance it travels divided by the time it takes to travel that distance.
Here's a breakdown:
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The Formula:
Speed = Distance รท Time- This can also be written as:
Speed = Distance / Time
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Understanding the Components:
- Distance: The length of the path traveled. Common units include meters (m), kilometers (km), miles (mi), or feet (ft).
- Time: How long it takes to travel the distance. Common units include seconds (s), minutes (min), hours (hr), or days.
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Determining Units of Speed:
- The units for speed depend on the units used for distance and time. For example:
- If distance is measured in meters (m) and time is measured in seconds (s), then speed is measured in meters per second (m/s).
- If distance is measured in kilometers (km) and time is measured in hours (hr), then speed is measured in kilometers per hour (km/h).
- If distance is measured in miles (mi) and time is measured in hours (hr), then speed is measured in miles per hour (mph).
- The units for speed depend on the units used for distance and time. For example:
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Example:
- A car travels 100 kilometers in 2 hours.
- Distance = 100 km
- Time = 2 hours
- Speed = 100 km / 2 hours = 50 km/h
- Therefore, the car's speed is 50 kilometers per hour.
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Key Considerations:
- Ensure that your units are consistent. If you have a distance in meters and a time in minutes, you might want to convert the time to seconds before calculating the speed.
- This calculation provides the average speed. The object may have been traveling faster or slower at different points during the journey.
In summary, to calculate how fast something is moving (its speed), divide the distance it travels by the time it takes to travel that distance. Remember to pay attention to the units of measurement for distance and time to accurately determine the units of speed.
