What is the formula for average velocity?

What is the formula for average velocity?

• A. Total time divided by total distance
• B. Total displacement divided by total time taken
• C. Distance divided by time
• D. Speed divided by time

Answer: (B)

The formula for average velocity is derived from the definition of velocity, which is the rate of change of displacement over time. Average velocity specifically is calculated by taking the total displacement, which is the overall change in position from the start to the end of the motion, and dividing it by the total time taken for that change. This approach emphasizes the vector nature of displacement, as average velocity includes direction, whereas average speed (which is different) would consider only the total distance traveled divided by time, without regard for direction. This is why using total displacement in the formula is crucial for accurately describing how fast and in what direction an object is moving during the time interval considered. In contrast, other formulas presented do not accurately capture the definition of average velocity with respect to displacement or time. For instance, dividing total time by total distance does not give any meaningful relation to velocity, and simply dividing distance by time does not differentiate between distance and displacement. Speed divided by time also does not yield a coherent or relevant meaning in this context, as speed is a scalar quantity and does not include direction.

The formula for average velocity is derived from the definition of velocity, which is the rate of change of displacement over time. Average velocity specifically is calculated by taking the total displacement, which is the overall change in position from the start to the end of the motion, and dividing it by the total time taken for that change.

This approach emphasizes the vector nature of displacement, as average velocity includes direction, whereas average speed (which is different) would consider only the total distance traveled divided by time, without regard for direction. This is why using total displacement in the formula is crucial for accurately describing how fast and in what direction an object is moving during the time interval considered.

In contrast, other formulas presented do not accurately capture the definition of average velocity with respect to displacement or time. For instance, dividing total time by total distance does not give any meaningful relation to velocity, and simply dividing distance by time does not differentiate between distance and displacement. Speed divided by time also does not yield a coherent or relevant meaning in this context, as speed is a scalar quantity and does not include direction.