Defining Speed = Distance/Time, or ||Displacement||/Time?

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In summary, "Speed" in physics can be defined as either the average speed during a specified time interval or the instantaneous speed at a specific point in time. The average speed is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken, while the instantaneous speed is calculated using the magnitude of the instantaneous velocity. It is important to note that the average speed and average velocity are not always equal, and that the instantaneous speed and instantaneous velocity may vary at different points in time due to changes in direction.
  • #1
ahyaa
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Hello,

Given that distance is path-dependent and displacement measures only the net change, how do we define speed?

I have seen speed defined as 1) distance over time, and 2) the magnitude of velocity. I recognize that these are two different things because distance is path-dependent while velocity = displacement/time and displacement measures net change. Thus, which definition is the accepted definition for speed?
 
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  • #2
"Speed", in physics, is a technical term referring to the magnitude of the velocity vector.
In common language it has a number of different uses - most commonly referring to the distance traveled divided by the time taken.
In physics this second one would be properly called the average speed, but you need to watch for non-technical language.

Notice that if you complete a circle, then the displacement is zero, so the average velocity is zero so the speed was zero - even if you traveled in that circle very fast.

Note: "distance" would be the magnitude of the displacement vector - but there are other kinds of distances - in common language "distance" can mean the separation of two locations (also called "as the crow flies") or it can be the length of the path traveled for example.
 
  • #3
ahyaa said:
I have seen speed defined as 1) distance over time,

As Simon noted, this is the average speed during the specified time interval.

and 2) the magnitude of velocity.

This is the instantaneous speed at some point in time, provided that we use the instantaneous velocity at that point in time.

velocity = displacement/time and displacement measures net change

This gives you the average velocity during the specified time interval.

In general, the average speed during a specified time interval does not equal the magnitude of the average velocity during that time interval; whereas the instantaneous speed at any point in time equals the magnitude of the instantaneous velocity at that point in time.

In Simon's example, if you go around a complete circle at constant speed, then your average speed for the entire circle equals that constant speed, but your average velocity is zero because your net displacement is zero. Your instantaneous speed at every point on the circle equals that constant speed, and therefore the magnitude of the instantaneous velocity is the same at every point; but your direction changes continuously as you move around the circle, so your instantaneous velocity (which includes both magnitude and direction) is different at every point on the circle.
 
  • #4
Got it, thank you all
 

1. What is the formula for calculating speed?

The formula for calculating speed is distance divided by time, or displacement divided by time.

2. What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a measure of both speed and direction.

3. How is average speed different from instantaneous speed?

Average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken, while instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific moment in time.

4. Can speed be negative?

Yes, speed can be negative if the object is moving in the opposite direction of the positive direction being used as reference.

5. How do you convert speed from one unit to another?

To convert speed from one unit to another, use conversion factors. For example, to convert from kilometers per hour to meters per second, multiply the value by 1000/3600.

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