Different speeds (v=x/t)
I can describe how to calculate average speed, instantaneous speed and relative speed and estimate the speed of everyday things.
Different speeds (v=x/t)
I can describe how to calculate average speed, instantaneous speed and relative speed and estimate the speed of everyday things.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Average speed = distance/time
- The speed of sound in air is about 330 m/s.
- Scalar quantities have magnitude only.
- Speed and distance are scalar quantities.
- Relative speed is the speed an object is moving towards or away from another object, which may also be moving.
Common misconception
Pupils often do not have an understanding of what moving at a particular speed means in the real world, and treat answers as ‘just numbers’.
Use real world examples of speeds through examples and questions asked (N.B. 10 m/s is approximately 20 miles per hour).
Keywords
Average speed - The average speed of an object is the distance it travels each second (m/s). It is a scalar quantity.
Instantaneous speed - The instantaneous speed of an object is the speed at a particular moment.
Scalar quantity - Some quantities only have magnitude (size), and not direction. This includes distance and speed.
Magnitude - A scalar quantity only has magnitude (size).
Relative speed - The relative speed of objects is the difference in their speeds taking into account direction of movement.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
1.5 m/s
3 m/s
6 m/s
30 m/s
80 m/s
500 m/s
Exit quiz
6 Questions
the average distance travelled each second
the speed of an object at a particular moment of time
the size of a quantity
a quantity that has only magnitude (not direction)
the speed of one object compared to the speed of another object
3 m/s
1.5 m/s
6 m/s
0.5 m/s