Have some fun with Physics - By Daniel Huang

Physics is one of the Science subject that also use Mathematics.

Today we are going to talk about "Speed and Acceleration".

Speed and Acceleration

Definition: Speed is the rate of change of position of an object in any direction. While acceleration is rate at the velocity changes with time, in terms of both speed and direction.

Questions:

1. A dog runs 100 m in 12.5 seconds, find the speed

You have the triangle formula:

So,

Distance = 100 m.

Time = 12.5 seconds

Speed = Distance/Time

Speed = 100 m / 12.5 s

Speed = 8 m/s.

The unit of speed is m/s.

2. We are doing a balloon powered car project. The balloon powered car moves with the distance 1.64 m and the time taken is 4 seconds. Find the speed.

Remember the triangle up there!

So,

Distance = 1.64 m.

Time = 4 seconds.

Speed = 1.64 m / 4 s

Speed = 0.41.

Now let's go to the Acceleration.

1. What is the acceleration of a subway train that speeds up from 6 m/s to 12 m/s in 2 s?

The equation is:

Acceleration = Change in speed / Time taken.

Acceleration = (12 m/s - 6 m/s) / 2 s 

Acceleration = 6 m/s / 2 s

Acceleration = 3 m/s^2.