Speed Distance Time | Forces & Motion | Physics | FuseSchool

Scientific concepts & phenomena presented

• Speed as a physics quantity: how fast an object travels.
• Relationship between speed, distance, and time:
  • Speed = Distance ÷ Time
  • Equivalent “triangle” forms:
    • Time = Distance ÷ Speed
    • Distance = Speed × Time
• Unit consistency and conversion (dimensional analysis):
  • Converting speed between km/h and m/s so comparisons are valid.
  • Conversions used:
    • (1\ \text{km} = 1000\ \text{m})
    • (1\ \text{hour} = 3600\ \text{s})

Calculations shown (examples)

• Usain Bolt (100 m record, 2009):

  • Distance = 100 m
  • Time = 9.58 s
  • Speed = (100 \div 9.58 \approx 10.44\ \text{m/s})

• Formula 1 car:

  • Stated speed = 375 km/h
  • Convert to m/s:
    • (375{,}000\ \text{m} \div 3600\ \text{s} \approx 104.2\ \text{m/s})
  • Conclusion: F1 car is much faster than the sprinting speed computed for Bolt.

Methodology / workflow

• Use Speed = Distance ÷ Time to compute speed for each subject.
• Ensure speeds are in the same units before comparing:
  • Convert km/h → m/s using:
    • multiply km by 1000
    • divide by 3600 to convert hours to seconds
• Compare the resulting speeds.

Researchers / sources featured

• Usain Bolt (athlete; 2009 100 m world record mentioned)