🪐 GCSE Physics Newsletter: Speed

Part 1 - Keywords:

• Speed

• Scalar Quantity

• Constant Speed

• Variable Speed

• Typical Speed Values

• Transport Systems

Part 2 - Key Facts:

• Speed is how fast an object moves.

• Speed does not involve direction, so it is a scalar quantity (not a vector).

• The speed of most moving objects is not constant.

  • When walking, running, or driving, speed changes due to acceleration, terrain, and fatigue.

• Typical speed values (approximate):

  • 🚶 Walking: ~1.5 m/s

  • 🏃 Running: ~3 m/s

  • 🚲 Cycling: ~6 m/s

• Other useful typical speeds:

  • Car in urban area: ~13 m/s (around 30 mph)

  • ✈️ Commercial airplane: ~250 m/s

  • 🌬️ Speed of sound in air: ~330 m/s

• Factors affecting speed (especially for people):

  • Age

  • Terrain (flat, uphill, downhill)

  • Fitness level

  • Distance being travelled

• The speed of sound and wind also varies depending on temperature, air pressure, and environment.

Part 3 - Quick Quiz:

1️⃣ Is speed a scalar or vector quantity?
2️⃣ What is the typical walking speed?
3️⃣ What is the typical speed of sound in air?
4️⃣ Give one factor that affects a person’s running speed.
5️⃣ What is the typical cycling speed?

Part 4 - Answers:

1️⃣ Scalar
2️⃣ 1.5 m/s
3️⃣ 330 m/s
4️⃣ Age (or terrain, fitness, distance)
5️⃣ 6 m/s

Part 5 - Multiple Choice Questions:

1️⃣ Which of the following is a typical speed for running?
a) 1.5 m/s
b) 3 m/s
c) 6 m/s
d) 330 m/s

2️⃣ Speed is described as a scalar quantity because:
a) It does not involve direction
b) It is always constant
c) It depends on direction
d) It only applies to stationary objects

3️⃣ Which of the following has a typical speed of 330 m/s?
a) A cyclist
b) A car
c) A runner
d) Sound in air

Part 6 - Multiple Choice Answers:

1️⃣ b) 3 m/s
2️⃣ a) It does not involve direction
3️⃣ d) Sound in air

Part 7 - Going Further:

Question:
Why does the speed of a person running tend to decrease over a long distance?

Answer:
Because fatigue sets in—the muscles get tired, energy levels drop, and the runner slows down to conserve energy. Also, factors like terrain and weather can affect long-distance running speed.

Part 8 - Revision Tip:

✔️ Always learn the typical speed values—they often come up in GCSE exam questions!
✔️ Use the formula Speed = Distance ÷ Time to practice calculating speeds in different situations.

💡 Fun fact:
In 2009, Usain Bolt ran at an average speed of 10.4 m/s during his 100 m world record run! ⚡🏆

Part 9 - More Help:

Webpages

1. Factors Affecting Rate of Reaction (GCSE Chemistry)
   Study Mind
   This page discusses how various factors such as temperature, concentration, surface area, and catalysts influence the rate of chemical reactions.
2. Rate of Reaction - Science Practicals: GCSE
   Seneca Learning
   This resource provides practical experiments and explanations to help understand how to measure and analyze the rate of chemical reactions.

YouTube Video

• GCSE Chemistry - Rates of Reaction
  YouTube
  This video explains the concept of reaction rates, including examples of reactions that occur at different speeds and methods to calculate the rate of a reaction.

Until next time keep revising!