2007-04-12 06:54:52 · 5 answers · asked by yosi a 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
In layman's terms the following explanation will do nicely.
As long as you travel in a straight line average speed and average velocity are identical.
The difference is average velocity is based on displacement, which is independent of the path you take. Speed is based on distance traveled.
Unless you turn, your distance traveled and displacement are identical. Keep in mind the earths surface is curved so traveling along the surface of the earth is not a straight line.
So if you travel at a constant speed in triangle with sides of 30, 40 ,and 50 meters at 10 m/s. You would get the following results
first side:
time 3s
distance 30m
displacement 30m
speed 10 m/s
velocity 10 m/s
first and second side:
time 7s
distance 70m
displacement 50m
speed 10 m/s
velocity 7.1 m/s
all three sides:
time 12s
distance 120m
displacement 0m
speed 10 m/s
velocity 0 m/s
2007-04-12 07:35:59 · answer #1 · answered by Brian K² 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Speed is the magnitude of the velocity and is a scalar quantity, where as velocity is a vector. So, if the different velocity vectors are in the same direction, the average velocity and the average speed will be equal. The average velocity will be different from the average speed if the direction changes.
2007-04-12 07:30:56 · answer #2 · answered by Swamy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aren't they the same all the time? Is average velocity, and average speed not the same thing?
2007-04-12 07:03:20 · answer #3 · answered by The Quiet One 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
average speed is the absolute value of average velocity. velocity can be a negative number but speed is always positive
2007-04-12 07:04:46 · answer #4 · answered by jenna 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Velocity is the combination of speed AND distance.
Speed and Velocity are always different, although people often use them interchangeably.
2007-04-12 07:05:22 · answer #5 · answered by groovynoledge 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋