What is Average velocity: Definition and 283 Discussions

The velocity of an object is the rate of change of its position with respect to a frame of reference, and is a function of time. Velocity is equivalent to a specification of an object's speed and direction of motion (e.g. 60 km/h to the north). Velocity is a fundamental concept in kinematics, the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of bodies.
Velocity is a physical vector quantity; both magnitude and direction are needed to define it. The scalar absolute value (magnitude) of velocity is called speed, being a coherent derived unit whose quantity is measured in the SI (metric system) as metres per second (m/s or m⋅s−1). For example, "5 metres per second" is a scalar, whereas "5 metres per second east" is a vector. If there is a change in speed, direction or both, then the object has a changing velocity and is said to be undergoing an acceleration.

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  1. ThomasMagnus

    Average Velocity Vector Diagram

    Homework Statement Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I thought it was "D". The correct answer is "A". Can you help me figure out why?
  2. O

    Unknown distances, constant speed, average velocity

    Homework Statement A car travels along a straight line at a constant speed of 48.5 mi/h for distance d and then another distance d in the same direction at another constant speed. The average velocity for the entire trip is 30.5mi/h. a) What is the constant speed with which the car moved...
  3. M

    Average speed and average velocity

    Homework Statement The space shuttle takes off from Cape Canaveral in Florida and orbits Earth 18 times before landing back at Cape Canaveral 23 hours and 7 minutes later. During this time, it moves in circular orbit with radius 6.6 x10^6 m. Homework Equations The equation that I am...
  4. V

    Setting intantaneous velocity equal to average velocity

    1. an object moving at constant acceleration. Find the average velocity between the times t1 and t2, with t2 > t1. Find the time t∗ between t1 and t2 such that the instantaneous velocity at t∗ equals the average velocity between t1 and t2. 2. [X(t) = X(o) + V(o)t + 1/2(at^2)], [v0 +...
  5. R

    What is the Average Velocity of a Motorist with Multiple Legs of Travel?

    Homework Statement A motorist drives for 35 minutes at 85km/h and then stops for 15.0 minutes. He then continues traveling 130km in 2 hours. a) What is his total displacement? b) What is his average velocity? Homework Equations v= ∆X/∆t (Change in displacement over change in time)...
  6. T

    Why don't we take drift velocity as the average velocity of electrons?

    Drift velocity, vd = eEτ/me Drift velocity, as in the current formula I=nevdA should correspond to the average velocity with which the electrons are moving in the steady current, but the formula at top gives the mean FINAL velocity achieved by the electrons in short spurts of time(mean...
  7. T

    Calculate Average Velocity of a Truck

    [b]1 A truck travels along a staright road at 80 m/s and it travels at 40 m/s for the next 1200m. what is the average velocity? [b]2. ave V= change d/ time r=dt (get the total time) [b]3. (1600-1200)/ 50 this is incorrect I also tried ave V= (u+v)/t and it did...
  8. R

    Average speed relative to the magnitude of the average velocity?

    What can be said about average speed relative to the magnitude of the average velocity? a) greater than B) equal to C)both a and B I think it is neither because average velocity is displacement/total time and average speed is distance/total time. Since displacement is always equal to or...
  9. M

    Average Velocity on a Position vs Time Graph

    A graph of position versus time for a certain particle moving along the x-axis is shown in the figure below. Find the average velocity in the following time intervals. (The horizontal axis is marked in increments of 1 s and the vertical axis is marked in increments of 2 m.) avg velocity =...
  10. L

    Average Velocity of a particle

    Homework Statement The velocity, in ft/sec, of a particle moving along the x-axis is given by the function v(t) = e^t + te^t. What is the average velocity of the particle from time t=0 to time t=3? Answer: 20.086 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Average velocity...
  11. X

    Average velocity from a position-time graph?

    what is the object's average velocity during the entire interval? ..i know velocity would be the slope..but there's different slopes so what do i do? does it have to do with instantaneous velocity?! physics makes me sad. :(
  12. R

    Average speed vs average velocity

    Homework Statement (a) A particle has a displacement r1 = (35.0i + 12.0j + 14.0k) m at 29.0 s. At 53.0 s the ball has a displacement of r2 = (35.0i + 6.0j + 11.0k) m. What is the average speed of the ball between 29.0 s and 53.0 s? The Attempt at a Solution Having checked the...
  13. A

    Average Velocity and Constant Acceleration

    Can some one please prove that Vav=(Vi+Vf)/2 is valid only for constant acceleration?
  14. M

    Average velocity (should be easy )

    Average velocity (should be easy...) Homework Statement In a relay race, each contestant runs a distance 25.1m while carrying an egg balanced on a spoon, turns around, and comes back to the starting point. Edith runs the first distance 25.1m in a time = 19.1s. On the return trip she is...
  15. N

    Solve Average Velocity: 2 Trains & Bird

    Homework Statement Two trains, each having a speed of 34 km/h, are headed at each other on the same straight track. A bird that can fly 60 km/h flies off the front of one train when they are 51 km apart and heads directly for the other train. On reaching the other train it flies directly back...
  16. G

    Average Velocity: Find Average Velocity of Gas Particles

    Hello:smile: suppose we have a gas (ideal) inside that gas there are particles (N particles) and each particle has a certain velocity v. i want to find the average velocity of all the particles inside that gas. would it be \mathbb{V}=\frac{\sum_{1}^{n}v_i}{N} \mathbb{V} the average...
  17. B

    Average velocity from multiple displacement/velocities

    Heres the problem: "A car travels at a constant speed of 60kph for 30km, 40kph for another 30km and 50kph for the final 30km. What is the average speed of the car." I know that in this case I can just add the velocities and divide by 3 since the displacements are equal and get 50kph as the...
  18. 1

    What is the average velocity of the object as it falls to the ground?

    Homework Statement An object is dropped from a height of 25m above the ground. What is the average velocity of the object as it falls to the ground? Homework Equations d=vit+1/2at^2 The Attempt at a Solution d=-25 a=-9.8 vi=0 -25=-4.9t^2 t=2.3s vavg=displacement/time...
  19. C

    Curious about average velocity (v bar)

    Homework Statement My question uses the following problem. I am confused as to why s=v(bar) * t works out the same as s=(v0-vfinal)/2 * t Enlighten me please! Problem: How long does it take to fall 1000ft with no drag? What is the final velocity? displacement: s=1000ft acceleration...
  20. C

    Displacement and average velocity

    How would I find the direction in degrees of average velocity in a problem where I have calculated displacement to be 1.65 km at 25° north of west and the average velocity to be .55km/h?
  21. C

    Projectiles, 2D Motion, displacement and average velocity

    Homework Statement A bird watcher meanders through the woods, walking 0.30 km due east, 0.65 km due south, and 2.25 km in a direction 37.0° north of west. The time required for this trip is 3.00 h. Determine the magnitude and direction (relative to due west) of the bird watcher's (a)...
  22. N

    Can the Average Velocity Equation be Simplified Further?

    I need to calculate the average velocity of d= Et²+Ft+G over the interval [t1;t2] I after resolving i get to this function avg v = (E(t2)² + Ft2 - E(t1)² + Ft1) / (t2-t1) my question is it possible to go any further than this?
  23. D

    Average velocity given acceleration and time?

    Homework Statement A car is stopped at a traffic light. It then travels along a straight road so that its distance from the light is given by x(t) = bt^2 - ct^3, where b = 2.30 m/s^2 and c = 0.120 m/s^3. (a) Find the average velocity of the car for the time interval t=0 to t=10 s (b)...
  24. H

    Average Velocity vs. Delta Velocity

    Whats the difference between average velocity and delta velocity? I understand the formulas (ie. Vave = delta displacement/delta time) but I don't understand why you would use one over the other and what the difference is. Thanks for the help.
  25. D

    Calculating Average Velocity: Solving a Train Motion Problem in Physics

    Homework Statement A train at a constant 42.0 km/h moves east for 33 min, then in a direction 64.0° east of due north for 25.0 min, and then west for 69.0 min. What are the (a) magnitude (in km/h) and (b) angle (relative to north, with east of north positive and west of north negative) of...
  26. G

    Magnitude of average velocity and derive equation

    These 2 questions are confusing me, I have some idea about what to do, can someone help? Question 1 Homework Statement Consider a circular track with a radius of 200 meters, suppose it takes 2 minutes to run from her starting point to the opposite side of the track. What is the magnitude...
  27. S

    Average Velocity over intervals

    An arrow is shoot up in the air at 50m/s. Its height in meters after t sec. is h=50t-0.36t^2. Find the average velocity over interval [1,1.03], four decimal places.
  28. A

    Find average velocity of Vector A and B

    Homework Statement Arrow 'A" is at an angle of 60 degress and V(initial)= 2 m/s. Arrow B is pointed at 330 degrees with V(final) of 5 m/s. Time= 5 seconds. What is the A(avg) vector is the question. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I am at a total loss... I know how...
  29. T

    Finding average velocity from a velocity-time graph

    Homework Statement Find the average velocity from the velocity-time graph: V / t 3 / 0 3 / 2 2 / 2 2 / 3 1 / 3 1 / 4 0 / 4 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Im not sure if i can find the average velocity from this graph or if i have to make a position-time graph??
  30. T

    How Far Did the Backpacker Walk East?

    Homework Statement In reaching her destination, a backpacker walks with an average velocity of 1.33 m/s, due west. This average velocity results because she hikes for 6.44 km with an average velocity of 2.60 m/s, due west, turns around, and hikes with an average velocity of 0.425 m/s, due...
  31. T

    Average velocity while walking

    Homework Statement Compute your average velocity in the following two cases: (a) You walk 59.5 m at a speed of 2.16 m/s and then run 59.5 m at a speed of 4.01 m/s along a straight track. (b) You walk for 1.00 min at a speed of 2.16 m/s and then run for 1.91 min at 4.01 m/s along a straight...
  32. A

    Find Average Velocity of cart rolling down the slope.

    In the diagram below, a cart is released from rest at a distance x1 from the first of two photogates. The cart then rolls down the ramp through both photogates. The distance between the photogates is x2. For this problem, you may assume that the cart is frictionless and the acceleration of the...
  33. S

    Word problem: Asking to solve for average velocity and average speed

    [b]1. 1. To get to a concert in time, a harpsichordist has to drive 124 miles in 2.01 hours. (a) If he drove at an average speed of 53.0 mi/h in a due west direction for the first 1.18 h, what must be his average speed if he is heading 30.0° south of west for the remaining 49.8 min? (b)...
  34. S

    Average Speed and Average Velocity Question

    [b]1. To get to a concert in time, a harpsichordist has to drive 124 miles in 2.01 hours. (a) If he drove at an average speed of 53.0 mi/h in a due west direction for the first 1.18 h, what must be his average speed if he is heading 30.0° south of west for the remaining 49.8 min? (b)...
  35. D

    Deriving the Formula for Average Velocity with Constant Acceleration

    i was just wondering how do you prove that average velocity = (initial velocity + final velocity) / 2 when the acceleration is constant. my book simply tells me the formula and how to use it but doesn't say how it got this formula in the first place.
  36. C

    Determining instantaneous velocity and average velocity using a graph.

    The position of a rabbit along a straight tunnel as a function of time is plotted in Fig. 2-26. Here's the figure: http://www.webassign.net/giancoli5/2_26.gif Determine its instantaneous velocity at the following times. (a) t = 5.0 s (b) t = 30.0 s Determine its average velocity between the...
  37. P

    Finding Average Velocity between .7 m/s and -1.25 m/s

    So far when calculating velocity I have used Initial velocity and Final velocity, but now I need to calculate the average velocity when given two separate velocity values, the highest velocity and the lowest velocity. So how would I find the average of velocity when I have a high of .7 m/s and a...
  38. V

    Distance traveled = Average velocity x time

    A car traveling with a constant speed of 80 km/h passes a stationary motorcyle policeman. The policeman sets off in pursuit, accelerating to 80 km/h in 10.0 s and reaching a constant speed of 100km/h after a further 5.0 s. At what time will the policeman catch up with the car? I am stuck...
  39. K

    Average Speed - isn't this average velocity?

    A billiard ball travels 0.44m [S] from its original position, bounces off another ball and travels 0.88m [N], then bounces off the edge of the billiard table coming to rest 0.12m from that edge. The entire motion is one-dimentional and takes 2.4s. (a) calculate the average speed of the ball...
  40. A

    Average velocity of clock hand

    The minute hand of a clock is 5.5 cm long. What is average velocity vector for the tip of the hand during the interval from the hour to 20 minutes past the hour, expressed in a coordinate system with they-axis toward noon and x-axis toward 3 o'clock? (Answer in terms of i-hat and j-hat...
  41. T

    What is the average velocity for a bicycle's trip?

    Homework Statement A bicycle travels 3.2 km due east in 0.10 h, then 4.7 km at 15.0° east of north in 0.14 h, and finally another 3.2 km due east in 0.10 h to reach its destination. The time lost in turning is negligible. What is the average velocity for the entire trip? I need to find the...
  42. A

    Anyone distinguish average velocity and instantaneous velocity please ?

    Anyone distinguish "average velocity" and "instantaneous velocity" please ? I can not distinguish clearly between "average rate and "instantaneous rate".Would you please help me and give examples would be glad.
  43. L

    Urgent need Help on Chem (average velocity, Thermochemistry, ionization energy)

    Urgent need Help on Chem... (average velocity, Thermochemistry, ionization energy) 1.) The average velocity of Cl(2) molecules is 2.50 x 10^3 m/sec at a temp of 25 C therefore the average velocity of helium atoms is ?? [ i got the answer 1.05 x 10^4 m/Sec] but I am not sure 2.) A gas is...
  44. T

    Displacement and Average Velocity of a Whale

    Homework Statement A whale swims due east for a distance of 8.0 km in a time of 2.50 hours. It then turns around and moves west for 2.0 km on a time of 0.50 h. It turns around again and heads 4.0 km due east in a time of 1.00h. Homework Equations a. What is the total distance traveled...
  45. T

    Average Velocity between time to time

    Homework Statement I have to find the average velocity of an equation from time 2 to time 4. This equation here is of the position. P = -5*t^3+5*t^2 -4*t. 2. The attempt at a solution Since this is the position i have to take derivative of that. -15t^2-10t-4 Then i substitute 2 for...
  46. D

    Calculating Average Velocity of Dropped Bolt From High-Rise Building

    Homework Statement A construction worker drops a bolt while working on a high-rise building 320m above the ground. After t seconds, the bolt has fallen a distance of s metres, where s(t) = 320-5t^2, 0 <= t <=8 Find the average velocity for the interval 3<=y<=8 Homework Equations...
  47. K

    Average velocity of particles and maxwell distribution

    Consider many same particles are moving randomly in a constant pressure and constant temperature box. The average speed \overline{v} of the particle can be calculated by maxwell distribution. Now assume the density of particles in the box is n, so in unit time, total number of particle hitting...
  48. N

    Average speed, displacement and average velocity of car.

    A car travels 50km at 30degrees North of East for 20min, then 30km at 70degrees North of East with speed of 20km/hr, then another 10km at 60degrees North of East with speed 80km/hr. Find A)Total distance traveled B)The average speed of the car C)The displacement of the car(magnitude and the...
  49. T

    What is the Velocity of the Meteor?

    Homework Statement A meteor streaking through the night sky is located with radar. At point A its coordinates are (5.20km, 1.20km), and 1.18 s later its has moved to point B with coordinates (6.24, 0.915). 1. Find the magnitude of its average velocity between these two points. 2. Find...
  50. P

    How Do You Calculate Average Velocity for Multiple Directions?

    Homework Statement A train moving at a constant speed of 51.0 km/h moves east for 38.0 min, then in a direction 53.0° east of north for 16.0 min, and finally west for 64.0 min. What is the average velocity of the train during this run? Magnitude? km/h Direction? ° (counterclockwise from...
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