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GCSE Physics · key term
The total distance travelled divided by the total time taken.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.5.6.1.2 · Paper 2
Revise: SpeedDividing the measured distance by the measured time gives the average speed over that section. Two light gates a known distance apart can instead start and stop a timer as an object passes through them.
Specification 2.6, 2.7, 2.11 · Paper 1
The total distance travelled divided by the total time taken for the journey.
Use the total distance travelled and the total time taken when calculating average speed; include time spent stationary if it is part of the journey time.
Check whether the answer is sensible: distance should increase if the same average speed is maintained for longer.
A stopwatch measurement gives average speed over the measured distance. A single light gate gives an estimate of speed over a much shorter distance.
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A cyclist might speed up, slow down and stop during one journey, so the speed calculated for the whole journey is an average speed.
The distance travelled divided by the time taken, measured in metres per second (m/s).
Specification P2.1b, P2.1g, PAG P3 · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
The overall distance travelled divided by the overall time taken.
Revise: Calculating speedThe calculation normally gives an average speed over the measured route because a person may not move at exactly the same speed throughout.
The total distance travelled divided by the total time taken for the journey.
Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Speed, Velocity and Scalar vs Vector QuantitiesThe runner's average speed is therefore non-zero, while the magnitude of their average velocity is zero.
The speed over a whole journey, equal to total distance divided by total time.
Distance travelled divided by the time taken over a journey.