The measure of speed is how fast something is moving.The farther the needle goes, the higher the car's speed is.Depending on which information you have, there are different ways to calculate speed.The easiest way to calculate speed is the equation speed + distance/time.
Step 1: Find out how far an object has traveled.
The equation that most people use to figure out how fast something is moving is very easy to use.How far the object traveled is the first thing you need to know.How far from its ending point is it?An example will make this equation easier to understand.We are going to a theme park 161 kilometers away in our car.We will use this information to solve our equation in the next few steps.
Step 2: Find out how long the object took to travel.
You need to know how long the object took to travel.How long did it take to get from the beginning to the end?It took us almost exactly to make our journey.
Step 3: Find the speed by dividing the distance by the time.
You can find your speed with these two pieces of information.The object's speed will be determined by the distance over the time.Our example is 100 miles/2 hours.
Step 4: Don't forget your units.
The answer should be labeled with the proper units.It's critical.It can be hard for other people to understand what you mean.If you make this calculation for schoolwork, you could lose points.Your units will be used for speed.Since we measured distance in miles and time in hours, our units are miles per hour.
Step 5: The variables should be isolated for distance and time.
The basics of the speed equation can be used to find more than speed.If you start out knowing speed and one of the other variables, you can rearrange the equation to find the missing piece of information.We know that the train traveled at 20 kilometers per hour for four hours, but we don't know how far it went.In this case, we can rearrange the equation and come up with a solution like this.
Step 6: As needed, you can convert your units.
You can calculate speed in one set of units but need it in another.conversion factors are used to get your answer into the correct units.Write the relationships between your units as a fraction and multiply them.If you want to get rid of the units you don't want, flip your fraction.It's a lot easier than it sounds.In the example problem above, we need our answer in miles instead of kilometers.The answer is in miles, so we can convert like this: 80 kilometers 1 mile/ 1.6 kilometers.The site has conversions for common units.
Step 7: The "distance" variable should be replaced with distance formulas.
It's not always convenient to travel in straight lines.If they don't, you may not be able to plug a numerical value for distance into the standard speed equation.You may need to use a formula to model the distance the object traveled.Let's say that an airplane flies in a circle that is 20 miles wide.The journey takes half an hour.We need to find out how far the plane has traveled before we can figure out its speed.In place of d we can use the equation for the distance around a circle.This equation is 2r where r is the circle's radius.We would solve it like this: s is 2 and t is 5.
Step 8: An average speed is given by s and d/t.
There is a flaw in the equation we have been using to find speed.It gives you an average speed.It's assumed that the object you're measuring went the same speed throughout the trip.Finding an object's speed at a single moment can be more difficult.Think of the last trip you took in a car.It's not likely that you traveled the same speed all the time.Instead, you started out slow and gradually reached your cruising speed, slowing down at stoplights, traffic jams, and so on.The changes in speed won't be reflected if you use the standard speed equation.You will get an answer in the middle of all the different speeds you traveled at.
Step 9: The magnitude of velocity is what speed is defined by.
There are different definitions of "speed" and "velocity" for higher-level speed calculations.A velocity is made up of a magnitude and a direction.The magnitude is the same as the object's speed.A change in direction won't change the speed.Two cars are moving in opposite directions.Both cars have the same speed.Since they are moving apart from each other, one car has a higher speed than the other.You can also calculate instantaneous velocity.
Step 10: Negative velocities can be used with absolute values.
If an object is moving in a negative direction relative to something else, they can have negative velocities.In these cases, the absolute value of the magnitude gives the object's speed, because there is no such thing as a negative speed.In the example problem, both cars have a speed.
Step 11: Take the derivative of a function.
If you have a function that gives you the position of an object with regards to time, the derivative of s(t) will give you its velocity.Plug a time value into this equation for the variable t to get the velocity at this given time.It's easy to find the speed from here.An object's position in meters is given with the equation 3t + t - 4 where time is in seconds.We want to know the speed of the object.In this case, we can use 3t + t - 4 s'(t) to solve it.Since it's positive and direction isn't mentioned in the problem, we can use it for speed.
Step 12: Take the function's integral.
It is possible to measure the change in an object's speed over time.The topic is too complex to fully explain in this article.The integral of a(t) will give you velocity with regards to time if you have a function that gives acceleration.It is helpful to know the object's initial velocity so that you can define the constant that results from an infinite integral.Let's say that an object has a constant acceleration of 30 in m/s.Let's say it has an initial speed of 10 m/s.We need to find its speed at t.Remember that the object's initial speed is 10 m/s.We can plug in t in 12 seconds if v(t) is -30t + 10.-30(12) + 10 is -350.The object's speed is the absolute value.