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.
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,
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.
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.
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