Average Speed and Average Velocity
Distance is length of a path traveled by an object.
\(\text{Average speed} = \dfrac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}}\)
Displacement is change of position of an object.
\(\text{Average velocity} = \dfrac{\text{displacement}}{\text{time}}\)
Example
A person walks from A to D through B and C as diagram below,
Determine:
A. Distance and displacement of the person
Distance travelled by the person is \(5 + 10 + 5 = 20 \text{ m}\)
Displacement of the person is \(10 \text{ m}\)
B. Average speed and average velocity of the person
\(\text{Average speed} = \dfrac{\text{distance}}{\text{time}} = \dfrac{20}{10} = \bbox[5px, border: 2px solid magenta] {2 \text{ m/s}}\)
\(\text{Average velocity} = \dfrac{\text{displacement}}{\text{time}} = \dfrac{10}{10} = \bbox[5px, border: 2px solid magenta] {1 \text{ m/s}}\)
Exercise