Average velocity just simply be the average speed

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating average velocity in various scenarios, specifically addressing two cases involving a car and a person walking and running. For the car traveling 80 km, the average velocity is confirmed to be 40 km/h, calculated as total displacement divided by total time. In the second case, the average velocity for walking and running is derived through total displacement of 256.2 m over 120 seconds, resulting in an average velocity of 2.135 m/s. Corrections were made regarding the proper calculation methods, emphasizing the distinction between speed and velocity.

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  • Understanding of basic physics concepts such as displacement and velocity
  • Familiarity with speed calculations and time conversions
  • Ability to perform arithmetic operations with units of measurement
  • Knowledge of average speed versus average velocity distinctions
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J-Girl
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Hi peeps, i just started intro physics but finding it sort of difficult, and attempting to do some questions but just not quite sure if I am doing it right. would so appreciate any kind of help, my teacher doesn't seem to break it down enough for me lol. can somebody just check my work, and let me know if I am right or wrong?:)
1)A car is driven 40km at 30km/h. it then continues in the same direction for another 40km at 60km/h. what is the average velocity of the car during this 80 km trip?
In this question, would the average velocity just simply be the average speed, as its just going in one positive direction? As the 80 km took 120 minutes all up, it is just displacement/time, and the answer is 40km/h?

2) average velocity of these two cases:
a) you walk 73.2m at a speed of 1.22m/s, and then run 73.2m, at a speed of 3.05m/s along a straight track.
73.2/1.22=60m/s
73.2/3.05=24m/s
60+24/2= 42m/s= average velocity


b)You walk for 1minute at a speed of 1.22m/s, and then run for 1minute at 3.05m/s
60 x 1.22= 73.2m
60 x 3.05=183m
73.2+183=256.2-total displacement
120 seconds=total time
so 256.2/120=2.135m/s = average velocity

please let me know if I am right, id really appreciate some help:), i know theyre easy questions but I am not very confident with physics at all!:(
 
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J-Girl said:
1)A car is driven 40km at 30km/h. it then continues in the same direction for another 40km at 60km/h. what is the average velocity of the car during this 80 km trip?
In this question, would the average velocity just simply be the average speed, as its just going in one positive direction? As the 80 km took 120 minutes all up, it is just displacement/time, and the answer is 40km/h?
Good!

2) average velocity of these two cases:
a) you walk 73.2m at a speed of 1.22m/s, and then run 73.2m, at a speed of 3.05m/s along a straight track.
73.2/1.22=60m/s
73.2/3.05=24m/s
60+24/2= 42m/s= average velocity
Redo this one. You're mixing up speed and time. Solve it just like the others: total displacement over total time.


b)You walk for 1minute at a speed of 1.22m/s, and then run for 1minute at 3.05m/s
60 x 1.22= 73.2m
60 x 3.05=183m
73.2+183=256.2-total displacement
120 seconds=total time
so 256.2/120=2.135m/s = average velocity
Good!
 


ohh i see, yeah that's definitely not right:) thanks for pointing it out. so total time is 73.2/1.22m/s= 60 sec
73.2/3.05m/s=24 seconds
total distance = 73.2 x 2=146.4m
velocity is 146.4/84=1.743m/s..hope that's right! thankyou for your input it really helps:)
 


J-Girl said:
so total time is 73.2/1.22m/s= 60 sec
73.2/3.05m/s=24 seconds
total distance = 73.2 x 2=146.4m
velocity is 146.4/84=1.743m/s..hope that's right!
Now you've got it. :approve:
 

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