1. What is Speed?

Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to how fast an object is moving, defined as the distance traveled per unit of time. It's a fundamental concept in physics and everyday life.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the basic speed equation:

Where:

• \( Distance \) — Total distance traveled (in any units)
• \( Time \) — Time taken to travel the distance (in seconds)

Explanation: The equation shows the direct relationship between distance and speed, and the inverse relationship between time and speed.

3. Importance of Speed Calculation

Details: Calculating speed is essential in physics, engineering, sports, transportation planning, and many real-world applications where motion needs to be quantified.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter distance in any units and time in seconds. The calculator will output speed in the same distance units per second. All values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What's the difference between speed and velocity?
A: Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), while velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Q2: What are common units for speed?
A: Common units include meters/second (m/s), kilometers/hour (km/h), miles/hour (mph), and feet/second (ft/s).

Q3: Can I use different time units?
A: The calculator uses seconds, but you can convert other time units to seconds before entering (1 minute = 60s, 1 hour = 3600s).

Q4: What if I get zero or negative values?
A: The calculator requires positive values for both distance and time as these cannot be negative in physical terms.

Q5: How is average speed different from instantaneous speed?
A: Average speed is total distance over total time, while instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific moment.