Calculating Average Speed Practice

What is the formula for calculating average speed?

Answer explanation

The formula for average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken. Therefore, the correct choice is distance \div time.

If a car travels 100 kilometers in 2 hours, what is its average speed?

• 50 km/h

• 200 km/h

• 2 km/h

• 100 km/h

Answer explanation

To find the average speed, divide the distance by the time. Here, 100 kilometers divided by 2 hours equals 50 km/h. Thus, the correct answer is 50 km/h.

Which unit is commonly used to express speed in the metric system?

• meters per second (m/s)

• kilometers per liter (km/L)

• seconds per meter (s/m)

• liters per kilometer (L/km)

Answer explanation

The correct unit for expressing speed in the metric system is meters per second (m/s). This unit measures the distance traveled in meters for each second, making it a standard for speed measurement.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A student walks 300 meters in 5 minutes. What is the student’s average speed in meters per minute?

• 60 m/min

• 15 m/min

• 1500 m/min

• 305 m/min

Answer explanation

To find the average speed, divide the distance by the time. The student walks 300 meters in 5 minutes. Average speed = 300 m / 5 min = 60 m/min. Thus, the correct answer is 60 m/min.

A student records the following data during a science experiment: Distance traveled = 150 meters, Time taken = 25 seconds. Calculate the average speed in meters per second.

• 6 m/s

• 0.167 m/s

• 3 m/s

• 7.5 m/s

Answer explanation

To find average speed, use the formula: speed = distance / time. Here, speed = 150 meters / 25 seconds = 6 m/s. Thus, the correct answer is 6 m/s.

During a field investigation, two students measure the time it takes for a toy car to travel different distances. Student A records 2 seconds for 4 meters, and Student B records 5 seconds for 10 meters. Who had the faster average speed, and by how much?

• Student A by 0.5 m/s

• Student B by 0.5 m/s

• Both had the same average speed

• Student A by 1 m/s

Answer explanation

To find average speed, use the formula speed = distance/time. Student A's speed is 4m/2s = 2 m/s. Student B's speed is 10m/5s = 2 m/s. Both students have the same average speed of 2 m/s.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1

A group of students is investigating the effect of different surfaces on the speed of a rolling ball. They roll the ball 10 meters on grass (time: 5 seconds), sand (time: 20 seconds), and concrete (time: 2 seconds). Based on their data, which surface allows the ball to roll the fastest, and what is the average speed on that surface?

• Grass, 2 m/s

• Sand, 0.5 m/s

• Concrete, 5 m/s

• Grass, 0.5 m/s

Answer explanation

The ball rolled fastest on concrete, taking only 2 seconds for 10 meters. The average speed is calculated as distance/time = 10m/2s = 5 m/s. Therefore, the correct answer is Concrete, 5 m/s.

Tags

NGSS.MS-PS3-1