Concept Library / Kinematics

Average Speed

Average speed is total distance travelled divided by total time taken.

average speed=total distancetotal time
Full explanation

Average speed is total distance travelled divided by total time taken.

average speed=total distancetotal time

Average speed answers: what constant speed would cover the same total distance in the same total time?

It is not usually the arithmetic mean of two speed values unless the time spent at each speed is the same.

Formula / representation
average speed=dtotalttotal

For equal distances at two speeds v1 and v2, the slower part takes longer and has greater weight in the average.

Units
ms-1
Common misconceptions
  • Averaging two speed values arithmetically without checking time intervals.
  • Using displacement rather than total distance.
  • Assuming a round trip has average speed zero because displacement is zero.
Related entries
Community

Questions & discussion

Open forum →

No questions here yet. Start the discussion when something is worth unpacking.