JEE foundation learners · 7 min

Speed and acceleration

Distinguish speed from velocity and calculate average acceleration from a change in velocity.

Learning objective

Calculate average speed and average acceleration from simple motion data.

Average speed is total distance travelled divided by total time taken. It does not describe direction.

Example

A 120 m walk in 60 s has an average speed of 120/60 = 2 m/s.

Velocity is a rate of displacement and includes direction. A change in direction can change velocity even if speed stays the same.

Example

5 m/s east and 5 m/s west have equal speed but different velocities.

Average acceleration is the change in velocity divided by the time interval.

Example

From 2 m/s to 14 m/s in 4 s: (14 − 2)/4 = 3 m/s².

Knowledge check

A runner’s velocity changes from 4 m/s to 16 m/s in 3 seconds. What is the average acceleration?3 m/s²4 m/s²6 m/s²12 m/s²

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About this lesson

Source: Original GyanStudio learning material. Editorial review pending. Last updated 5 November 2026.

This learning preview is not an official exam notice or a substitute for checking the relevant authority’s current information.