OCR GCSE Combined Science Physics J250
Electricity
Energy
Forces
Global Challenges
Magnetism and Magnetic Fields
Matter
Radioactivity
Waves in Matter
Forces
Average speed, and the equations of uniform motion
- 3 things to know
- Paper 5 (Physics)
Overview
How average speed is found for a changing journey, distance, speed and time calculations, acceleration from a change in velocity, and the equation linking final velocity, starting velocity, acceleration and distance.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
A journey of 150 km takes 3 hours, including a stop. What is the average speed in kilometres per hour?
A runner covers 100 m from a standing start in 12.5 s. What is her average speed?
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
How is average speed worked out for a journey in which the speed keeps changing?
Model answer
Divide the total distance travelled by the total time taken.
- 2
A journey of 150 km takes 3 hours, including a stop. What is the average speed in kilometres per hour?
Model answer
150 ÷ 3 = 50 km/h.
- 3
Does an average speed of 12 m/s mean the vehicle travelled at 12 m/s throughout?
Model answer
No, it is only the steady speed that would have covered the same distance in the same time.
- 4
A runner covers 100 m from a standing start in 12.5 s. What is her average speed?
Model answer
100 ÷ 12.5 = 8 m/s.
- 5
A cyclist rides 4 km in 10 minutes and then a further 2 km in the next 10 minutes. What is her average speed for the whole ride in metres per second?
Model answer
6000 m ÷ 1200 s = 5 m/s.
- 6
Why does stopping part way through a journey lower the average speed?
Model answer
The total time keeps increasing while the distance does not, so distance divided by time falls.
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