Peoples Physics Concepts

2.2. Average Velocity http://www.ck12.org

2.2 Average Velocity

• Explain the meaning of speed, velocity and average velocity.

Students will learn the meaning of speed, velocity and average velocity.

Key Equations

Speed = distance/time

Average Velocity

vavg=

∆x

∆t

Guidance

Speed is the distance traveled divided by the time it took to travel that distance. Velocity is the instantaneous speed

and direction. Average velocity is the displacement divided by the time.

Example 1

Pacific loggerhead sea turtles migrate over 7,500 miles (12,000 km) between nesting beaches in Japan and feeding
grounds off the coast of Mexico. If the average speed of a loggerhead is about 45 km/day, how long does it take for
it to complete the distance of a one-way migration?

Question: t=? [days]

Given: d= 12 , 000 km

vavg= 45 km/day

Equation: vavg=dt thereforet=vavgd

Plug n’ Chug: t=vavgd = 4512 ,km^000 /daykm= 267 days

Answer:

267 days

Watch this Explanation