What is the difference between average speed and average velocity?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for the distinction between average speed and average velocity, which involves understanding their definitions and the contexts in which they are used in physics.
Answer
Average speed is distance over time without direction; average velocity is displacement over time with direction.
Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken, and it does not take direction into account. Average velocity is the change in position (displacement) divided by the total time taken, and it includes both magnitude and direction.
Answer for screen readers
Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken, and it does not take direction into account. Average velocity is the change in position (displacement) divided by the total time taken, and it includes both magnitude and direction.
More Information
Average speed is a scalar quantity and does not consider direction. In contrast, average velocity is a vector quantity and does include direction.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse distance with displacement. Remember, distance is the total path traveled, while displacement is a straight line from the starting point to the ending point.
Sources
- Distinguish between average speed and average velocity - BYJU'S - byjus.com
- Translational Motion - Jack Westin - jackwestin.com
- Physics Classroom - Speed and Velocity - physicsclassroom.com
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