Relating Speed to Time and Distance

Average speed - the total distance divided by the total

time - this would include changes of speed and stops.

The defining formula for average speed is :

vav = ∆ d

∆ t

The change in a measurement is signified by using

the Greek letter ‘delta’ ∆∆∆∆

Instantaneous speed - the speed measured at a moment

in time

Constant speed - a condition which exists when the same

instantaneous speed is measured over a specific time

frame

For example:

If over a 5 minute period the speed was checked 3

times and each time the speed was the same, one

could say that this object had constant speed.