What’s the Key Difference Between Velocity and Speed in Air Travel?

AI Thread Summary
Velocity and speed are distinct concepts in air travel, with velocity incorporating direction while speed does not. In the example of Plane A flying from Paris to New York and Plane B flying from Paris to London and then New York, both planes can have the same average velocity due to their endpoints being the same, despite differing routes. This results in different average speeds because speed is calculated based on the total distance traveled without regard to direction. The key takeaway is that while average velocities can be equal, average speeds can differ based on the paths taken. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analyzing air travel dynamics.
Sam_pross
Plane A flies from Paris to New York, while plane B makes the same trip via London. Assume that the total time taken for both planes is the same. Considering the two trips, both planes have the same average velocities but different average speeds. Why? How is this possible?
 
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Velocity and speed are different things. What is the difference?
 
Nugatory said:
Velocity and speed are different things. What is the difference?
Velocity has direction and speed does not
 

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