Answer:
Average speed is a scalar quantity calculated as the total distance traveled divided by elapsed time, useful when speeds vary and for indirect measurement.
Step-by-step explanation:
The concept of average speed is fundamental in understanding motion. It is the total distance traveled divided by the elapsed time during which the motion occurs. Unlike velocity, which is a vector quantity that denotes both magnitude and direction, speed is a scalar quantity and has no directional component. Calculating average speed is essential for situations where the speed varies over time.
Instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a particular moment in time and, like average speed, is also a scalar quantity without direction. It's important to note that average speed may be greater than the magnitude of the average velocity, particularly in cases where the trip begins and ends at the same location, resulting in a displacement of zero.
To compute the average speed, we use the formula: Average speed = Total distance / Elapsed time. This formula is especially useful when direct measurement of speed is not possible, and thus distance and time must be measured to calculate speed.