Question

Determine the average velocity and average speed for the following situation. A dog runs west for 35 meters then turns east for 45 meters stops then continues east for 65 meters. The time for the total trip is 85 seconds.

Answer 1

0.882 m/s average velocity and 1.71 m/s average speed

Step-by-step explanation:

The dog travels a total of 35 m west and 110 m east.

110-35 = 75 m east of the starting position. Since velocity is a vector you must consider its first and final position and not the total distance traveled.

75 m / 85 s = 0.882 m/s average velocity

Speed is not concerned with direction so we instead add the total distance traveled which is 35+110 = 145 m. We then perform the same operation as before and divide by the time it took to run this distance.

145 m / 85 s = 1.71 m/s average speed