An object travels North at 8 m/s for 3 s and then travels South at 6 m/s for 7 s. What are the object's average speed and velocity?

1 Answer
Alan P.
Jan 6, 2017

average speed: 6.6 m/s
average velocity: 1.8 m/s South

Explanation:

Object travels North at 8m/s for 3s
rarr object travels 8m/sxx3s=24 m " North"
then
it travels South at 6 m/s for 7 s
rarr object travels 6m/sxx7 s=42 m " South"

Total distance traveled: 24 m +42 m =66 m

Total displacement from point of origin:
color(white)("XXX")24 m N +42 m S=-24m S +42 m S=18 m S

Total time involved in travel: 3 s+7s=10s

"Average speed" = ("total distance")/("total time") =(66 m)/(10 s)=6.6m/s

"Average velocity"=("total displacement")/("total time")=(18 m S)/(10 s) =1.8 m/s S

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