Speed, Velocity and Acceleration Notes Summary
Definition from notes:
MOTION
Object’s change in position
over time when compared
with a reference point
SPEED
The rate at which an object
moves
VELOCITY
The speed of an object in a
particular direction
ACCELERATION
Rate at which velocity changes
Definition in your own
words:
Common Units
Centripetal Acceleration - When an
object is moving in a circular motion
and constantly changing velocity
(accelerating)
m/s/s
m/s, km/h
m/s, direction or km/h,
direction
NO
YES
YES
Anytime an object is moving
Anytime an object moves with
direction
When can it be
constant?
When you move the same
distance over the same
amount of time
When you are not speeding up,
slowing down or changing
direction
During a change in velocity,
speeding up, slowing down or
changing direction
Speed up or slow down at the same
rate each second or if you are
continually going in a circle
When does it change?
When you go faster or slower
When you speed up or down or
change direction
Speed up, slow down or turn
(change direction)
Formula:
Speed = distance/time, s=d/t
Velocity = distance/time,
V=d/t
Acceleration = (final velocity – initial
velocity)/ time
A = (vf-vi)/t
Practice Calculations
A student was practicing for a track
meet. She ran 400 m in 30 seconds.
What is her average speed?
What is your velocity if you traveled 6
km north in 3 hours?
A car accelerates from a standstill to 60
km/h north in 10 seconds. What is it’s
acceleration?
Does it have
direction?
When does it occur?