Speed vs. Velocity

The Speed vs. Velocity Video Tutorial explains the meaning of speed and velocity and distinguished between the instantaneous and average values of each. Strategies for calculating average values of speed and velocity are discussed. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What is speed, instantaneous speed, and average speed?
What is velocity and how is it related to speed?
How are average speed and average velocity calculated?
How can a multi-leg motion be analyzed in terms of average speed and average velocity?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Minds on Physics App#1: Mission KC3 of Kinematic Concepts Module
For serious students of Physics, our Minds On Phyiscs apps will not disappoint. The program delivers carefully crafted questions that target single concepts in Physics and continues to deliver the questions until students demonstrate mastery. Mission KC3 is on the topic of speed and velocity.

Tutorial on Speed vs. Velocity
If you're ini need of a quick reference on the topic of speed and velocity, the Tutorial section of our website can deliver. Visit the 1D Kinematics Chapter and see the page on Speed and Velocity in Lesson 1.

Calculator Pad: Kinematics Section
When it comes to topics that are math-related, the Calculator Pad is a natural resource to use. You will find a large collection of problems on varied topics and of varied difficulty level. You will also find answers and audio-guided solutions. Practice makes perfect!

Distance vs. Displacement Concept Builder
Students love Concept Builders and this one on Distance vs. Displacement will give students plenty of practice with those troubling Back-and-Forth problems. While the topic isn't speed or velocity, andunderstanding of distance and displacement is essential for a successful calculation of average speed or average velocity.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner; Describing Motion Verbally with Speed and Velocity
Our Curriculum Corner section is full of Think Sheets that focus student attention on single concepts and use a developmental approach to help build meaning regarding that concept. Whether using them as group work, homework, or Individual seat work, you will find a Think Sheet that targets the concept you're interested in ... like this one on speed and velocity.

Teacher Toolkit: Position-Velocity-Acceleration
We put one of the best Physics Librarian on the task of finding the best standards-based, multimedia driven websites on the web and the result was a collection of Teacher Toolkits that makes great stuff easy to find. Try one out today and start with this one on concepts associated with position, velocity, and acceleration.

Distance vs. Displacement Concept Builder
Students love Concept Builders and this one on Distance vs. Displacement will give students plenty of practice with those troubling Back-and-Forth problems. There are three levels of difficulty, randomly selected questions from a large bank of questions, built-in help, and opportuniies for remediation. While the topic isn't speed or velocity, and understanding of distance and displacement is essential for a calculation of average speed or average velocity.

Tutorial on Speed vs. Velocity
If your students need a quick reference, the Tutorial section of our website can deliver. Visit the 1D Kinematics Chapter and see the page on Speed and Velocity in Lesson 1.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.