Average velocity just simply be the average speed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating average velocity in various scenarios involving motion. The original poster presents a problem involving a car's journey and two cases of walking and running distances, questioning whether average velocity can be equated to average speed due to the direction of travel.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate average velocity by considering total displacement and total time for different segments of motion. Some participants question the distinction between average speed and average velocity, particularly in the context of directionality.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging with the problems, providing feedback and corrections. Some guidance has been offered regarding the proper method for calculating average velocity, particularly emphasizing the need to consider total displacement over total time.

Contextual Notes

There is an indication of confusion regarding the definitions of average speed and average velocity, as well as the calculations involved in determining them. The original poster expresses a lack of confidence in their understanding of physics concepts.

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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