Average Velocities

Introduction

Depending on the sign of the displacement, the average velocity can be either positive or negative in nature. 

The metric unit for average velocity is metres per second (m/s or ms-1) in the International System of Units.

Identifying the Average Velocity

When calculating the average velocity, we must divide the total displacement by the total time that has elapsed since the starting point.

v=∆x/∆t

For example, where V denotes the average velocity, x denotes displacement, T denotes time in general, xf and x0 denote the initial and final positions, tf denotes the starting and ending times, etc.

Assuming the starting time is zero, the equation becomes v=x/t.

Exemplification of Average Velocity

Over the course of a 4-second time interval, the runner’s position shifts from x1 = 60 metres to x2 = 40 metres (x1 = 60 metres). 

What is the runner’s average speed on the track?

t = 4 seconds

average = x/t = -20 m/ 4 s = -5 m/s average = x/t

Difference between average speed and average velocity.

The displacement of the object is the only thing that contributes to the average velocity. 

The magnitude of the displacement, on the other hand, may be different from the actual length of the path. It is for this reason that we use average speed to describe the rate of motion along a given path.

The average speed of a motion is defined as the sum of the total path length travelled divided by the total time interval of the motion. The average speed, in contrast to the average velocity, is a scalar quantity. Because average speed does not provide information about the direction of motion, it is always positive.

When does the average velocity reach its zero point?

For example, if a remote-controlled car races from Point A to Point B and then back to Point A, there is no overall displacement of the car. However, the velocity of the car cannot be measured in this case. Only the speed of the car can be measured in this case. When the same car travels from Point A to Point B and remains at that location, there is a definite displacement in a specific direction. It is possible to measure it in such situations. In layman’s terms, average velocity is simply the average speed with a direction associated with it. Whenever a journey begins and ends at the same location, the total displacement is zero, and the average velocity is also zero.

 To understand average speed and average velocity, we must first understand the meanings of a few terms and their definitions. 

Distance Travelled – As the name implies, distance travelled refers to the total distance that an object has travelled in a given period of time. 

Time Required – The amount of time required by the object to travel the specified distance. 

Displacement – The shortest distance between the initial point where the object was and the final point where the object ended up is known as displacement. 

Speed – The distance travelled by an object in a unit of time is referred to as its speed. Speed is measured as a scalar quantity. This indicates that it does not have a specific direction. 

In the context of motion, speed refers to how quickly an object is moving, or more specifically, the rate at which a distance is covered. 

Velocity – The total displacement of an object in a specified direction measured in one unit of time is known as the velocity. 

The quantity of velocity is a vector quantity. 

This indicates that it moves in a specific direction. The term “velocity” refers to the rate at which an object is moving over time.

Consider the case of a person who walks a considerable distance before returning to his original location.

Because velocity is defined as the rate of displacement, this motion results in a zero rate of displacement.

Any individual who wishes to maximise his or her velocity must also maximise the distance travelled from their or her starting point.

Due to the fact that velocity is a vector quantity, we must keep track of the direction when evaluating it. 

Difference between average velocity and average speed

One of the primary differences between speed and velocity is that speed does not take into consideration the direction of travel because it is a scalar quantity, and speed is determined by the distance travelled, whereas velocity is a vector quantity that takes into consideration the direction of travel and is determined by the displacement. 

The ratio of the total distance travelled by an object to the total time taken is known as the average speed. 

Average velocity, on the other hand, is defined as the change in position or displacement (x) divided by the number of time intervals (t) during which the displacement occurs.

It is possible to define the average velocity of an object as the displacement with respect to the original position divided by the amount of time. In other words, it is the rate at which an object’s displacements change with the passage of time.

Conclusion

The average velocity of an object can be defined as the displacement with regards to the original position divided by the time. In other words, it is the rate at which an object makes displacements with time.