Speed vs Velocity Notes

Unit 1 Lesson 2A

What variable is for speed?

s

Is Scalar speed or velocity?

speed

Speed describes what?

speed describes how fast an object is moving

Velocity describes what?

velocity describes how fast an object is moving in a specific direction

What variable is velocity

v

What is the equation for speed?

Equation; s=d/t

what is the equation for velocity?

equation; v=triangle d/ t

How do you tell them Apart?

speed is directly related to distance, while velocity is directly related to displacement.

How do you tell them Apart 2?

if you’regiven directions (N, S, E, or W or +/- signs) then its velocity, if there’s no directions then its speed.

How do you draw and label a diagram?

• create a simple drawing of the object (you can use a simple circle or square)

• Make sure that all vectors are clearly labeled with arrows

• label all variables and their given measurements

• Make sure that you show where the object starts and ends

How to solve a physics problem

1. Identify the given information from the word problem

2. draw and label a diagram if vectors are involved.

3. identify which equation to use

4. solve for the missing variable