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Physics · Lesson 1 of 3

Distance, time and speed

The essentials

Average speed is total distance travelled divided by elapsed time. Speed is a scalar: it has magnitude but no direction. Use compatible units. Distance in metres divided by time in seconds produces speed in metres per second.
Worked example
A trolley travels 18 m in 6 s. Average speed = 18 ÷ 6 = 3 m/s.
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A cart travels 20 m in 5 s. What is its average speed?

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