Average Speed Homework: Answer Check

In summary, average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time it took to travel that distance. It takes into account the overall distance and time, unlike instantaneous speed which only looks at the speed at a specific moment. Average speed can be greater than instantaneous speed if an object travels at different speeds during the total time. Changes in distance or time can affect average speed, with an increase in distance resulting in a decrease in average speed and a decrease in time resulting in an increase in average speed. The most commonly used units to measure average speed are miles per hour or kilometers per hour, but any units of distance divided by units of time can be used.
  • #1
joe215
26
0

Homework Statement


You walk for 1 min. at a speed of 1.5 m/s and then for 1 min at 4 m/s in a straight line. What is your average speed?


The Attempt at a Solution



(1.5 m/s + 4 m/s) / 2= 2.75 m/s

Am I right? This is a very simple problem but I just want to double check myself.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #2
You would have to convert the minutes to seconds, so convert the 2 minutes into seconds and you get 120 seconds.

Then you divide 5.5m/s by 120 s and get 0.0459 m/s
 
  • #3


Yes, your calculation is correct. The average speed is calculated by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken. In this case, the total distance traveled is 1 minute at 1.5 m/s and 1 minute at 4 m/s, which is equal to 1.5 m + 4 m = 5.5 m. The total time taken is 2 minutes. Therefore, the average speed is 5.5 m / 2 min = 2.75 m/s. Great job double checking your work!
 

1. What is average speed and how is it calculated?

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time it took to travel that distance. It is calculated by dividing the total distance by the total time. For example, if you traveled 100 miles in 2 hours, your average speed would be 50 miles per hour.

2. How is average speed different from instantaneous speed?

Average speed is the overall speed of an object over a period of time, while instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a specific moment in time. Average speed takes into account the total distance and total time, while instantaneous speed only looks at the speed at a specific point.

3. Can average speed ever be greater than instantaneous speed?

Yes, it is possible for average speed to be greater than instantaneous speed. This can occur when an object travels at different speeds during the total time, and the average speed takes into account the slower speeds as well.

4. How is average speed affected by changes in distance or time?

If the distance traveled increases, the average speed will decrease if the time stays the same. If the time taken to travel the distance decreases, the average speed will increase. This is because average speed is calculated by dividing the distance by the time.

5. What units are used to measure average speed?

The most commonly used units to measure average speed are miles per hour (mph) or kilometers per hour (km/h). However, any units of distance divided by units of time can be used to measure average speed, such as meters per second (m/s) or feet per minute (ft/min).

Similar threads

  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
20
Views
861
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
6
Views
699
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
4K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
2
Replies
46
Views
2K
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
5
Views
694
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
13
Views
483
  • Introductory Physics Homework Help
Replies
4
Views
1K
Back
Top