Average velocity and instantaneous velocity

Thread starter lina2selena
Start date Sep 8, 2019
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Average Average velocity Instantaneous velocity Velocity

In summary, the difference between average velocity and instantaneous velocity is that the former gives an overall idea of an object's speed while the latter provides a more precise measure at a specific moment. Average velocity is calculated by dividing total displacement by total time, with the unit of measurement being meters per second. Instantaneous velocity measures speed at a specific moment, while average velocity gives an overall measure over a period of time. An object can have the same average and instantaneous velocity if it is moving at a constant speed.

Sep 8, 2019

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Sep 8, 2019

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In part (b), you found the average speed, not the average velocity. The average velocity is zero.

What is average velocity?

Average velocity is defined as the displacement of an object divided by the time it took to travel that distance. It is a measure of the average speed and direction of an object over a certain period of time.

How is average velocity calculated?

To calculate average velocity, you divide the total displacement of an object by the total time it took to travel that distance. The formula is v = d/t, where v is average velocity, d is displacement, and t is time.

What is instantaneous velocity?

Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a specific moment in time. It is the limit of the average velocity as the time interval approaches zero, or in other words, the velocity at a specific point on a velocity-time graph.

How is instantaneous velocity different from average velocity?

Average velocity is the overall measure of an object's speed and direction over a certain period of time, while instantaneous velocity is the velocity at a specific moment in time. Average velocity takes into account the entire journey, while instantaneous velocity focuses on a specific point.

How is velocity different from speed?

Velocity and speed are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in physics. Velocity is a measure of both an object's speed and direction, while speed is only a measure of how fast an object is moving. Velocity is a vector quantity, while speed is a scalar quantity.