Average velocity= displacement/time

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concepts of average velocity and average speed within the context of kinematics. Participants are seeking clarification on the definitions and distinctions between these two terms.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are exploring the definitions of average velocity and average speed, questioning whether the provided distinctions are sufficient or complete. There is an emphasis on the vector nature of velocity compared to the scalar nature of speed.

Discussion Status

Some participants have affirmed the definitions presented, while others suggest that the explanations may be incomplete. The conversation includes examples to illustrate the differences, indicating a productive exploration of the topic.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of a specific example involving a person running around a circular track, which highlights the difference between average velocity and average speed in practical terms.

jen333
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Hey,

I just some clarification for kinematics:
am i correct to say that:

average velocity= displacement/time
average speed=total distance/time

?
 
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jen333 said:
average velocity= displacement/time
average speed=total distance/time

The difference between velocity and speed is just that velocity is a vector and speed is a scalar. That is, velocity has a direction and magnitude, while speed is just the magnitude. For example, you might say that your speed is 2 m/s, while your velocity is [2,0,0] m/s (or 2 m/s in the x direction).
 
jen333,

Your statement is perhaps "correct enough" if you just want a general distinction between velocity and speed. As a whole what you say is not incorrect, I would rate it as incomplete if this was offered as the definitions for velocity and speed.
 
jen333 said:
Hey,

I just some clarification for kinematics:
am i correct to say that:

average velocity= displacement/time
average speed=total distance/time

?
yes that is absolutely correct.

a person that runs around a circular track and stops where he began has zero average velocity but non-zero average speed.
 
Last edited:

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