Average Velocity Formula

What Is Average Velocity?

Average velocity is defined as the object's position rate of change concerning time within a provided time interval, considering magnitudes as well as the directional aspects of the motion. It is a measure of the rate at which the position of the object changes from the initial to the final instant in a time interval.

Formula for Average Velocity

Average Velocity is the total displacement traveled by the body in time t. It is represented by Vav and can be calculated as :

(1) If any distances xi and xf with their corresponding time intervals ti and tf are given, we use the formula:

Where

xi = Initial Distance

xf  =Final distance

ti = Initial time

tf = Final time

(2) If final Velocity V and Initial velocity U are known, we make use of the formula:

Where,

U = Initial Velocity and

V = Final Velocity

(3) If there are varied distances like d1, d2, d3 ……. dn for varied time intervals t1, t2, t3,… tn then,

Average Velocity Problem

Problem 1: Let's say you move from point A to point B, where the position of B is 100 meters east of A, in 20 seconds. Find average velocity?

Answer:

Displacement (Δx): 100 meters [east].

Time (Δt): 20 seconds.

Formula: 

Average velocity = 5 meters/second eastward.

Problem 2: A car is moving with an initial velocity of 30 m/s and it touches its destiny at 80 m/s. Calculate its average velocity.

Answer:

Given: Initial Velocity U = 30 m/s

Final velocity V = 80 m/s

       

Average velocity  Vav = (30 + 80)/2

Average velocity Vav = 55 m/s

Average velocity provides information about the average rate of motion in the direction of motion between two points. It is a very useful quantity for helping to know just how far an object has traveled, and in what general direction over a given amount of time, compared to the total amount of distance traveled regardless of direction.