Science TEKS 8.6B:
What is the Difference Between Speed, Acceleration and velocity?
Speed is:
- how fast or how slow an object is moving
- a scalar quantity, which is a magnitude measurement only
- measured in distance per time, such as miles per hour (MPH; mi/hr), or kilometers per hour (Km/h)
A speedometer indicates how fast or how slow a vehicle is moving. This is instantaneous speed.
The speedometer shown indicates that the vehicle’s speed is O MPH, which means the vehicle is stationary (not moving).
Acceleration is:
- the change in speed in a time period
- measured in speed per time, such as 10 mi/hr/sec, which means the vehicle increases in speed 10 mi/hr for every second of time that passes
Velocity is:
- the displacement of the moving object and its direction
- a vector quantity, meaning it has magnitude (speed) and direction
It is possible to run for 1 minute and have an average velocity of zero. This is because velocity is the total distance from the starting and end position divided by the time it took to make this change in position.
More About Motion: Enrichment
1. Grades 9-12 Animating Motion
2. Motion Problems: Enrichment
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Physics For Every Kids |
Physics investigations for middle school and/or high school students. Ideas for developing investigations into a science fair project.