Question

Suppose you are driving due east, traveling a distance of 1500 min 2 minutes. You then turn due north and travel the same distance in the same time. What can be said about the average speeds and the average velocities for the two segments of the trip?

(a) The average speeds are the same, and the average velocities are the same.
(b) The average speeds are the same, but the average velocities are different.
(c) The average speeds are different, but the average velocities are the same.

Answer 1

(b) The average speeds are the same, but the average velocities are different.

Step-by-step explanation:

The average speed is a scalar quantity which is calculated on the total distance travelled. Distance is the length of path traced and the speed is calculated as distance per unit time.

Mathematically:

`v=(d)/(t)`

`v=((1500+1500))/(2* 60)\ m.s^(-1)`

While the velocity is a vector quantity calculated on the displacement and is defined as the rate of displacement.

Mathematically:

`\vec v=(\vec s)/(t)`

`\vec v=(√(1500^2+1500^2) )/(2* 60)\ m.s^(-1)`