Understanding Speed, Velocity, Graphing, and Acceleration

Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration Formulas

Ever wondered how fast you're really going? Understanding speed and acceleration starts with four key formulas that make calculating motion super easy.

First, remember that speed = distance ÷ time. If you need to find distance instead, just flip it around: distance = speed × time. For time calculations, use time = distance ÷ speed. When objects change speed, we measure acceleration = (final velocity - initial velocity) ÷ time.

Let's see these formulas in action! A car traveling 100 miles in 2 hours has a speed of 50 mph $100 ÷ 2 = 50$. If a skateboarder moves 2 miles at 10 mph, it takes them 0.2 hours $2 ÷ 10 = 0.2$. A runner moving at 30 kilometers per hour for 2 hours covers 60 kilometers $30 × 2 = 60$.

Quick Tip: Negative acceleration means slowing down! When a car goes from 80 mph to 40 mph in 2 minutes, the acceleration is -20 mph/min, showing the car is decelerating.