Calculating Kilometers Covered by a Cyclist: A 5 m/s Example
Understanding how to calculate the distance covered by a cyclist when given their speed is a fundamental concept in basic physics. Let's explore a practical example to clear any doubts and ensure you can apply this knowledge to similar problems.
Understanding the Given Data
The problem at hand is to find the distance covered by a cyclist traveling at a constant speed of 5 meters per second (m/s) over a period of 1 hour. The key data points are:
Speed: 5 m/s Time: 1 hourConverting Units to Use the Distance Formula
The formula to find the distance covered is:
Distance Speed × Time
However, for this formula to work, the time must be in the same unit as the speed (seconds in this case). Therefore, we need to convert the time from hours to seconds:
1 hour 3600 seconds
Performing the Calculation
Now, let's substitute the values into the formula:
Distance 5 m/s × 3600 s
Carrying out the multiplication:
Distance 18000 meters
Converting Meters to Kilometers
Since 1 kilometer is equal to 1000 meters, we need to convert the distance from meters to kilometers:
Distance in kilometers 18000 meters ÷ 1000
Distance in kilometers 18 kilometers
Conclusion
Therefore, the cyclist would cover 18 kilometers in 1 hour.
For a better understanding, let's break down the steps involved:
1 hour 60 minutes 1 minute 60 seconds 1 hour 60 × 60 seconds 3600 seconds Distance 5 m/s × 3600 s 18000 meters Conversion to kilometers: 18000 meters ÷ 1000 18 kilometersThis simple but effective method helps in solving similar problems involving speed, time, and distance quickly.