Eb5 Calculate the average speed in km/h

Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around calculating the average speed and average velocity of a person jogging eight laps around a 400 m track, with a total time of 14.5 minutes. It explores the distinction between speed and velocity, particularly in the context of circular motion.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant calculates the average speed as approximately 13.2 km/h but notes that some steps were left out.
  • Another participant asserts that the average velocity is 0 and questions the distinction between speed and velocity.
  • A participant references the formula for average velocity in straight-line motion but does not clarify how it applies to this scenario.
  • There is a repeated emphasis on the difference between speed and velocity, with some participants expressing confusion regarding the application to circular motion.
  • One participant attempts to relate the discussion to a different scenario involving a ball being thrown straight up and down, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the original context.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the calculation of average speed but disagree on the application of average velocity in the context of circular motion. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the implications of speed versus velocity.

Contextual Notes

There is a lack of clarity regarding the application of average velocity in non-linear motion, and some participants appear to conflate different scenarios, leading to confusion.

karush
Gold Member
MHB
Messages
3,240
Reaction score
5
$\text{A person jogs eight complete laps around a $400 \, m$ track in a total time of $14.5 \, min$}. \\$
$\textit{a. Calculate the average speed in $km/h$}\\$
\begin{align*}\displaystyle \frac{(8)400 \, m}{14.5 \, min} \left(\frac{km}{1000m} \right) \left(\frac{60 \, min}{h} \right)&=\frac{192 \ km}{14.5 \, h}\\ &\approx\color{red}{13.2 \, km/h}\end{align*}

left out some steps but hope answer is correct
next question is average velocity
 
Physics news on Phys.org
karush said:
$\text{A person jogs eight complete laps around a $400 \, m$ track in a total time of $14.5 \, min$}. \\$
$\textit{a. Calculate the average speed in $km/h$}\\$
\begin{align*}\displaystyle \frac{(8)400 \, m}{14.5 \, min} \left(\frac{km}{1000m} \right) \left(\frac{60 \, min}{h} \right)&=\frac{192 \ km}{14.5 \, h}\\ &\approx\color{red}{13.2 \, km/h}\end{align*}

left out some steps but hope answer is correct
next question is average velocity
Yes, that is correct. The average velocity is 0! Do you see why? What is the distinction between "speed" and "velocity"?
 
well i thot $\textsf{average velocity, straight-line motion was}$\begin{align*}\displaystyle v_{av}&=\frac{x_2-x_1}{t_2-t_1}=\frac{\Delta x}{\Delta t}\end{align*}so we plug in what?
 

But this is NOT "straight line motion"! Again, what is the difference between "speed" and "velocity"?
 
HallsofIvy said:

But this is NOT "straight line motion"! Again, what is the difference between "speed" and "velocity"?

but isn't the ball being thrown strsight up and then fall straight down
 
karush said:
but isn't the ball being thrown strsight up and then fall straight down
Uh, no this is about a person running about an oval track! You seem to have two threads confused.
 
Ok
* * * *
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
10K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Replies
13
Views
1K