Average speed and instantaneous, displacement and distance, speed and velocity

[xoxmiu]

Homework Statement

What is the definition of average speed? How is average speed different from instantaneous speed? Explain.

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

Average speed is covering an equal amount of distance in an equal amount of time. Instantaneous speed, however, is speed at a specific time or given moment. While average speed is gradual over a period of time, instantaneous is just at one time.1. What is the difference between distance and displacement? Speed and velocity?

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

Distance is a physical length, while displacement is from start to finish in one only one direction, and straight. Speed is the rate in which an object travel distance, whilst velocity the rate of change of position.

((I want to work on this; i am sketchy on this and my textbook is strangely very vague.))

 

[alphysicist]

Hi xoxmiu,

Homework Statement

What is the definition of average speed? How is average speed different from instantaneous speed? Explain.

Homework Equations

none

The Attempt at a Solution

Average speed is covering an equal amount of distance in an equal amount of time.

I'm not sure what you mean, but this does not sound right to me.

Instantaneous speed, however, is speed at a specific time or given moment.

This is true; the instantaneous value is the value at a specific time.

While average speed is gradual over a period of time,

Average speed is calculated over an interval of time. So you might say the instantaneous speed at t=2 seconds is 5m/s, for example; on the other hand if you were talking about average speed you might say the average speed is 5m/s between t=2seconds and t=3seconds.

You determine the average speed by dividing the distance traveled (along the path) by the time interval that it took to travel that distance.