Physics · Grades 7–10
Average speed and average velocity · Revision sheet
Choose the correct numerator and include stops in elapsed time.
Learn the idea
Average speed
Divide total distance by total elapsed time. Include rest periods that occur within the interval.
Average velocity
Divide displacement by elapsed time. Direction changes can make it differ greatly from speed.
Unequal stages
Do not average two speeds directly unless the time weighting justifies doing so.
Units
Metres per second is an SI speed unit. Convert distance and time consistently before dividing.
Explain without looking
- A toy travels 30 m in 10 s, pauses for 5 s, then travels 15 m in 5 s. Find overall average speed.
- Two travel stages take different amounts of time. Why is a simple mean of their speeds unreliable?
Further reading and review references
These are reference links, not copied exercises, institutional endorsement or proof of independent review.
Independent educational review required. Grade bands are approximate; these are not officially aligned curricula.