How can I calculate the average velocity of two vectors?

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the average velocity when combining two vectors, with a focus on the relationship between distance, time, and displacement. Participants explore different aspects of the calculation, including the necessary information required for the computation.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation, Conceptual clarification, Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • One participant asks how to find the average velocity after adding two vectors.
  • Another participant suggests a formula for average velocity as vaverage = v1 + v2 / 2, though it is unclear if this is the correct interpretation.
  • A different participant notes that they only have distance and time, indicating a potential limitation in the information available for calculation.
  • Another participant states that average velocity is defined as total displacement divided by total time, which introduces a different perspective on the calculation.
  • A later reply indicates that one participant has resolved their confusion regarding the topic.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus on the correct method for calculating average velocity, as participants present different formulas and definitions, and the discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying assumptions about the definitions of average velocity and the information required for its calculation, which may affect their conclusions.

TheShapeOfTime
How do I find the average velocity after adding two vectors?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
vaverage = v1 + v2 / 2...
 
I should have mentioned that I only have distance and time.
 
Average velocity is total displacement divided by total time.
 
I figured out what I was doing wrong, thanks.
 

Similar threads

High School Average velocity as a weighted mean
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
1K
High School In uniform acceleration, mean velocity ##\bar v = \frac{v_0+v}{2}##?
  • · Replies 23 ·
Replies
23
Views
3K
High School Average Speed vs. Velocity: Explained
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
4K
High School Understanding Average Velocity in Linear Motion with Constant Acceleration
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Undergrad An actual meaning of instantaneous velocity
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
Graduate Average Velocity of gas molecules calculated with a Boltzmann distribution
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
9K
High School Is velocity ever a scalar quantity?
  • · Replies 48 ·
2
Replies
48
Views
8K
High School Velocity of freefalling bodies after 1s, 2s, 3s, etc
  • · Replies 18 ·
Replies
18
Views
2K
Undergrad Curl of velocity vector in rotational motion
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
High School Uses of the average velocity/speed
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
1K