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Motion and Time - Units of Time and Speed

Grade 7CBSE

Review the key concepts, formulae, and examples before starting your quiz.

🔑Concepts

Speed is defined as the distance covered by an object in a unit of time. It determines how fast or slow an object is moving.

The basic unit of time is the second (ss). Other larger units include minutes (minmin) and hours (hh).

The basic unit of speed is metre per second (m/sm/s). It can also be expressed in other units such as km/hkm/h or cm/scm/s.

A simple pendulum is used to measure time. The time taken by the pendulum to complete one oscillation is called its Time Period (TT).

To convert speed from km/hkm/h to m/sm/s, we multiply the value by 518\frac{5}{18}. To convert m/sm/s to km/hkm/h, we multiply by 185\frac{18}{5}.

A speedometer records the speed of a vehicle directly in km/hkm/h, while an odometer measures the total distance moved by the vehicle.

📐Formulae

Speed=Total Distance coveredTotal Time takenSpeed = \frac{\text{Total Distance covered}}{\text{Total Time taken}}

Distance=Speed×TimeDistance = Speed \times Time

Time=DistanceSpeedTime = \frac{Distance}{Speed}

Time Period(T)=Total TimeNumber of Oscillations\text{Time Period} (T) = \frac{\text{Total Time}}{\text{Number of Oscillations}}

1 km/h=1000 m3600 s=518 m/s1 \text{ km/h} = \frac{1000 \text{ m}}{3600 \text{ s}} = \frac{5}{18} \text{ m/s}

💡Examples

Problem 1:

A car covers a distance of 180 km180 \text{ km} in 3 hours3 \text{ hours}. Calculate its speed in km/hkm/h and m/sm/s.

Solution:

Given: Distance=180 kmDistance = 180 \text{ km}, Time=3 hTime = 3 \text{ h}. Speed in km/h=180 km3 h=60 km/hkm/h = \frac{180 \text{ km}}{3 \text{ h}} = 60 \text{ km/h}. To convert to m/sm/s: 60×51816.67 m/s60 \times \frac{5}{18} \approx 16.67 \text{ m/s}.

Explanation:

We use the formula Speed=DistanceTimeSpeed = \frac{Distance}{Time} for the initial calculation and then apply the conversion factor 518\frac{5}{18} to find the speed in SI units.

Problem 2:

A simple pendulum takes 32 s32 \text{ s} to complete 2020 oscillations. What is the time period of the pendulum?

Solution:

Number of oscillations = 2020. Total time taken = 32 s32 \text{ s}. Time Period(T)=32 s20=1.6 s\text{Time Period} (T) = \frac{32 \text{ s}}{20} = 1.6 \text{ s}.

Explanation:

The time period is the time taken for one single oscillation, calculated by dividing the total time by the total number of oscillations.

Problem 3:

If a train moves at a speed of 90 km/h90 \text{ km/h}, how much distance will it cover in 15 minutes15 \text{ minutes}?

Solution:

Speed = 90 km/h90 \text{ km/h}. Time = 15 min=1560 h=0.25 h15 \text{ min} = \frac{15}{60} \text{ h} = 0.25 \text{ h}. Distance=Speed×Time=90 km/h×0.25 h=22.5 kmDistance = Speed \times Time = 90 \text{ km/h} \times 0.25 \text{ h} = 22.5 \text{ km}.

Explanation:

First, convert the time from minutes to hours to ensure the units match the speed (km/hkm/h), then multiply speed by time to find distance.

Units of Time and Speed - Revision Notes & Key Formulas | CBSE Class 7 Science