1. What is the Speed Equation in GCSE Physics?

Definition: The speed equation calculates how fast an object is moving by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken.

Purpose: This fundamental physics equation helps students understand motion and solve problems related to speed, distance, and time.

2. How Does the Speed Equation Work?

The equation is expressed as:

Where:

• \( v \) — Speed (meters per second, m/s)
• \( d \) — Distance traveled (meters, m)
• \( t \) — Time taken (seconds, s)

Explanation: The equation shows that speed is directly proportional to distance and inversely proportional to time.

3. Importance of the Speed Equation

Details: Understanding this equation is crucial for solving motion problems in physics and has practical applications in transportation, sports science, and engineering.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the distance in meters and time in seconds. Time must be greater than zero. The calculator will compute the speed in meters per second (m/s).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What units should I use for this equation?
A: For GCSE Physics, always use meters for distance and seconds for time to get speed in m/s.

Q2: How do I convert km/h to m/s?
A: Multiply km/h by 1000/3600 (or approximately 0.2778) to convert to m/s.

Q3: What if I need to calculate distance or time instead?
A: The equation can be rearranged: \( d = v \times t \) for distance or \( t = \frac{d}{v} \) for time.

Q4: How is speed different from velocity?
A: Speed is scalar (magnitude only) while velocity is vector (magnitude and direction).

Q5: What's a typical walking speed in m/s?
A: Average human walking speed is about 1.4 m/s (5 km/h).