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Can a runner's average speed be different from her average velocity?

User Alex North
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1 Answer

9 votes

Answer:

Yes

Step-by-step explanation:

Since velocity is a vector, meaning it also relies on direction, the average speed can be different from her average velocity. An example would be if a runner turned around and ran backward after running 10 meters and returned to her starting point. If you took her average velocity of the entire trip it would actually be 0 but her average speed obviously would not be. This is why velocity can be negative but speed cannot.

User KFro
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