Speed (combined science)

Speed is a measure of how far an object travels in a certain time. You need to remember
The equation that links distance travelled, speed and time is: s = v t this equation!

Basic questions: No rearranging or unit conversion needed.

Model example: A student is walking at a speed of 1.5 m/s. If they walk at this speed for a time of
30 seconds, calculate how far they walk. [3 marks]

Write down equation: s =vt

Substitute variables into equation: s = 1.5 × 30 [1 mark]

Calculate answer: s = 1.5 × 30 = 45 [1 mark]

Write units: metres (m) [1 mark]

Q1. Calculate how far somebody jogs if they jog at a speed of 3 m/s for the following times:
a) 20 s b) 50 s c) 120 s d) 150 s [3 marks each]

a) ...............................................................................................................................................................

b) ...............................................................................................................................................................

c) ...............................................................................................................................................................

d) ...............................................................................................................................................................

Q2. A cyclist is travelling at a speed of 6 m/s. Calculate how far they travel if they cycle for the following
times:
a) 20 s b) 50 s c) 120 s d) 150 s [3 marks each]

a) ...............................................................................................................................................................

b) ...............................................................................................................................................................

c) ...............................................................................................................................................................

d) ...............................................................................................................................................................

Medium questions: Rearranging and unit conversion needed (hints in boxes).

Q3. A car travels a distance of 1.2 km. Calculate the speed of the car if it travels this km → m × 1000
distance in the following times:

a) 45 s b) 30 s c) 50 s d) 90 s [4 marks each]

a) ...............................................................................................................................................................

b) ...............................................................................................................................................................
 c) ...............................................................................................................................................................

d) ...............................................................................................................................................................

Q4. A motorbike travels a distance of 3000 m. Calculate the speed of the motorbike mins → s ÷ 60
if it travels this distance in the following times:

a) 3 minutes b) 2 minutes c) 8 minutes d) 5 minutes [4 marks each]

a) ...............................................................................................................................................................

b) ...............................................................................................................................................................

c) ...............................................................................................................................................................

d) ...............................................................................................................................................................

Hard questions: Rearranging and unit conversion needed.

Q5. A sports car travels a distance of 110 km in a time of one hour. Calculate the speed of the car
in metres per second. [4 marks]

Q6. An aeroplane travels a distance of 300 km in a time of 30 minutes. Calculate the speed of the
aeroplane in metres per second. [4 marks]

Q7. A ferry travels a distance of 40 km in a time of two hours. Calculate the speed of the ferry in
metres per second. [4 marks]

Mixed practice: Requires more than one equation.

Q8. A car has a mass of 1200 kg and travels a distance of 20 km in a time of 15 minutes. Calculate
the average kinetic energy of the car. [6 marks]

[Total marks / 74]

 Speed (combined science)

Speed b) 40 m/s
c) 24 m/s
Mark scheme for Q1–2 (example for Q1.a) d) 13 m/s
Correct substitution into equation:
s = 3 × 20 [1] Q4. a) 17 m/s
Correct calculation of answer: b) 25 m/s
s = 3 × 20 = 60 [1] c) 6.3 m/s
Correct units: d) 10 m/s
metres per second (m/s) [1]
Q5. 31 m/s
Q1. a) 60 m
b) 150 m Q6. 170 m/s
c) 360 m
d) 450 m Q7. 5.6 m/s

Q2. a) 120 m Mark scheme for Q8

b) 300 m Correct unit conversions:
c) 720 m s = 20 km = 20 000 m
d) 900 m t = 15 minutes = 900 s [1]
Correct substitution into equation:
20 000
Mark scheme for Q3–7 (example for Q3.a) v = [1]
900
Correct unit conversion: Correct calculation of answer:
20 000
s = 1.2 km = 1200 m [1] v = = 22.2 m/s [1]
900
Correct substitution into equation: Correct substitution into equation:
1200 1
v = [1] Ek =   × 1200 × 22.22 [1]
45 2
Correct calculation of answer: Correct calculation of answer:
1200 1
v = = 27 [1] Ek =   × 1200 × 22.22 = 300 000 [1]
45 2
Correct units: Correct units:
metres per second (m/s) [1] joules (J) [1]

Q3. a) 27 m/s Q8. 300 000 J