AQA · GCSE · Combined Science
Course version: 8464 · Version from Sept 2018
Speed: walking ̴ 1.5 m/s
Walking is a familiar motion, and its typical speed is about 1.5 m/s.
Checked against the AQA 8464 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 5 of 18
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Walking is a familiar motion, and its typical speed is about 1.5 m/s. This means a walker covers roughly 1.5 metres each second. To use this value, recall that speed equals distance divided by time, so distance equals speed multiplied by time. For example, in 20 s a walker travels 1.5 m/s × 20 s = 30 m. The symbol ̴ means approximately, so 1.5 m/s is an estimate for an average person on flat ground; individual speeds vary with age, fitness and terrain. You should recognise this as a standard order-of-magnitude value for walking, compare it with running (about 3 m/s) and use it in calculations involving distance, time or speed. When measuring walking speed, time a known distance and divide distance by time, ensuring units are consistent.
What earns the marks
- States that walking speed is approximately 1.5 m/s, meaning about 1.5 metres travelled each second.
- Uses the relationship speed = distance ÷ time, or its rearrangements, to calculate distance or time from a walking speed of 1.5 m/s.
- Applies the value in a calculation, for example distance = 1.5 m/s × 20 s = 30 m, or time = 12 m ÷ 1.5 m/s = 8 s.
- Recognises that 1.5 m/s is an approximate value and that actual walking speeds vary between people and conditions.
- Compares walking speed with other typical speeds, such as running at about 3 m/s, to judge whether an answer is reasonable.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Writing the value as 1.5 m/s² or 1.5 m/s per second.
Put it right by using m/s for speed.
Using 1.5 m/s as an exact speed for every walker.
Put it right by treating it as a typical estimate and allowing for variation.
Forgetting to convert units, for example mixing seconds with minutes.
Put it right by ensuring all units are consistent.
Exam tips
- When a question asks for a typical walking speed, write 1.5 m/s with the correct unit; do not leave the answer as a bare number.
- Show the equation you use, such as speed = distance ÷ time, then substitute values with units before calculating.
- Check that your final answer is sensible: a walking distance in 10 s should be about 15 m, not 150 m or 1.5 m.
Try the lesson
The start of the Speed: walking ̴ 1.5 m/s lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
A student estimates the time it will take to walk to a friend's house. Which value should they use for a typical walking speed?
Listen
Walking is a familiar motion, and its typical speed is about 1.5 m/s. This means a walker covers roughly 1.5 metres each second. To use this value, recall that speed equals distance divided by time, so distance equals speed multiplied by time. For example, in 20 s a walker travels 1.5 m/s × 20 s = 30 m. The symbol ̴ means approximately, so 1.5 m/s is an estimate for an average person on flat ground; individual speeds vary with age, fitness and terrain. You should recognise this as a standard order-of-magnitude value for walking, compare it with running (about 3 m/s) and use it in calculations involving distance, time or speed. When measuring walking speed, time a known distance and divide distance by time, ensuring units are consistent. A strong answer earns marks for these points. States that walking speed is approximately 1.5 m/s, meaning about 1.5 metres travelled each second. Uses the relationship speed = distance ÷ time, or its rearrangements, to calculate distance or time from a walking speed of 1.5 m/s. Applies the value in a calculation, for example distance = 1.5 m/s × 20 s = 30 m, or time = 12 m ÷ 1.5 m/s = 8 s. Recognises that 1.5 m/s is an approximate value and that actual walking speeds vary between people and conditions. A common slip: Writing the value as 1.5 m/s² or 1.5 m/s per second: speed is measured in m/s, not m/s², because acceleration is the quantity with m/s². Instead, using m/s for speed. Exam tip: When a question asks for a typical walking speed, write 1.5 m/s with the correct unit; do not leave the answer as a bare number.
Key words
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Speed
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Approximately
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Typical walking speed
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Consistent units
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See every definition
- Speed
- Equals distance divided by time, and distance equals speed multiplied by time.
- Approximately
- Shown by the symbol ̴, meaning the value is an estimate rather than exact.
- Typical walking speed
- About 1.5 m/s, meaning a walker covers roughly 1.5 metres each second.
- Consistent units
- Ensuring units are consistent, for example converting minutes to seconds before multiplying by 1.5 m/s.
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