An object travels North at #2 "m/s"# for #8 s# and then travels South at #5 "m/s"# for # 6 s#. What are the object's average speed and velocity?

1 Answer
Sep 20, 2017

#"Average Speed"=23/7m/s#
#"Average Velocity"=-1m/s# (direction in South)

Explanation:

#"distance"="speed"*"time"#

North Direction
speed#=2m/s# and time#=8s#
distance traveled in North #=2*8=16 m#

South Direction
speed#=5m/s# and time#=6s#
distance traveled in North #=5*6=30 m#

Total Distance Traveled #=16+30=46 m#
Total Displacement #=16-30=-14m#
(16 m in North and 46 m in South) (taking North Side as positive)
Total Time #=8+6=14 s#

#"Average Speed"="Total Distance"/"Time"=46/14=23/7m/s#
#"Average Velocity"="Total Displacement"/"Time"=-14/14=-1m/s#
(direction in South)