Speed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Speed |
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Speed is how fast an object moves and how much distance it covers in a certain time. A fast object covers a lot of distance quickly.
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Common symbols
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v |
| SI unit | m/s, m s−1 |
| Dimension | L T−1 |
Speed tells us how fast something is moving. It measures the distance an object travels in a certain amount of time. Think of it as how quickly you get from one place to another. The average speed of an object is found by taking the total distance it traveled and dividing it by the total time it took.
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How to Find Speed
To figure out the speed of something, you need to know two things: the distance it traveled and the time it took to travel that distance.
You can use a simple formula: 
In this formula:
- s stands for speed.
- d stands for distance (how far something went).
- t stands for time (how long it took).
So, if you travel 100 kilometers in 2 hours, your speed is 50 kilometers per hour.
Units for Measuring Speed
Speed can be measured using different units, depending on what you are measuring. Here are some common ones:
- Miles per hour (mph): This is often used for car speeds in countries like the United States.
- Kilometers per hour (km/h): This is used for car speeds in most other countries around the world.
- Meters per second (m/s): This is the official unit for speed in the SI system. Scientists and engineers often use this unit.
When Speed Changes
When an object's speed changes, it either goes faster or slower.
- If an object's speed increases (it gets faster), this is called acceleration. For example, when a car speeds up from a stop sign.
- If an object's speed decreases (it gets slower), this is called deceleration or negative acceleration. For example, when a car slows down to stop at a traffic light.
Related Information
See also
In Spanish: Celeridad para niños
