Question

An object travels 16mtrs in 4sec and then another 16mtrs in 2 sec along a straight path. what are its average speed and average velocity?

Answer 1

Refer to the explanation.

Explanation:

The total distance traveled is:

`16 "m"+16 \ "m"=32 \ "m"`

The average speed is therefore:

`bars=d/t=(32 \ "m")/(6 \ "s")=5.bar(3) \ "m/s"`

Assuming that the direction did not change, the average velocity is:

`barv=(vecd)/t=(16 \ "m")/(6 \ "s")`

`~~5.33 \ "m/s towards the original direction"`

Answer 2

The object travels `16" m"` then it travels another `16" m"`; that is a total distance of `32" m"`

The first time that it moves takes `4" s"` then the next time that it moves takes `2" s"`; that is a total time of `6" s"`

`"Average speed" = "Total distance"/"Total time"`

`"Average speed" = (32" m")/(6" s")`

`"Average speed" = 5.bar3" m/s"`

NOTE: The overbar indicates that the number repeats infinitely.

We can say nothing about the velocity because we are given no information that allows us to determine direction.