What Is the Difference Between Average Speed and Average Velocity?

[sprinter08]

Homework Statement

A person jogs eight complete laps around a 400m track in a total time of 13.5 minutes. Calculate, in m/s the average velocity.

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I thought that I knew how to do this, but I think I just figured out the average speed. This is what I did:

400x8= 3200m

13.5/1 x 60sec./1 min= 810 seconds

3200m divided by 810 sec.= 3.95 m/sec

 

[blindside]

At the end of the eight laps the person is where they started, so the final displacement is 0. Since velocity is defined as displacement divided by time, time is irrelevant, and the average velocity is 0 also.

You're correct, you've calculated the average speed.

 

[sprinter08]

Thank you!