Understanding Average Velocity | Definition, Formula, and Examples

Average Velocity

Average velocity is a measurement used to determine an object’s displacement over a given time interval

Average velocity is a measurement used to determine an object’s displacement over a given time interval. It is calculated by dividing the change in position (or displacement) of an object by the time it took for that change to occur.

The formula for average velocity is:

Average velocity = (change in position) / (change in time)

Let’s consider an example to better understand average velocity. Suppose a car starts at position A (0 km) and after 2 hours, it reaches position B (100 km). To find the average velocity, we would divide the change in position (100 km – 0 km = 100 km) by the change in time (2 hours – 0 hours = 2 hours):

Average velocity = (100 km) / (2 hours) = 50 km/hour

Therefore, the average velocity of the car over the 2-hour interval is 50 km/hour. This means that, on average, the car travels 50 kilometers each hour.

It’s important to note that average velocity takes into account both the direction and magnitude of an object’s motion. If the object changes direction during the time interval, the average velocity will reflect that change as well.

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