Reading Velocity Measurements

Question

What does 15 m s^-1 mean??? What would this mean if you wrote 15 m s^-2

Answer 1

A negative exponent means that you get rid of the negative sign and:

If it is in the numerator, put it in the denominator.

If it is in the denominator, put it in the numerator.

15 m s^-1 = 15 m / s

15 m s^-2 = 15 m / s^2 = (15 m / s) / s

1 / (15 m s^-1) = 1 s / 15 m

etc.

Answer 2

The first one means 15metre/second

The second one means 15metre/second square

Answer 3

The first one would mean "metres per second" so units of velocity or speed

The second would mean "metres per second, per second" so this is for units of acceleration