Combined Science GCSE
Speed
What Speed means in Combined Science GCSE, as defined for AQA.
Definitions of Speed
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Reference: AQA
The distance travelled per unit time, a scalar quantity so direction is not required, measured in metres per second (m/s).
A quantity in metres per second (m/s) that is squared in the equation, so doubling it quadruples kinetic energy.
The rate of change of distance with time, measured in metres per second (m/s) and a scalar quantity.
Distance travelled per unit time, calculated using speed = distance ÷ time or its rearrangements.
Measures how quickly distance is covered, but says nothing about the direction of travel.
Calculated from distance travelled divided by time taken, keeping units consistent.
Topics that use Speed
- Changes in energy (AQA GCSE)
- Speed (AQA GCSE)
Related terms
- Average speed
- Average speed in context
- Consistent units
- Constant speed
- Converting units
- Distance
- Distance-time graph
- distance–time graph
Using Speed in the exam
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