Final answer:
To compute travel time using the velocity method, use the formula t = d/V, where t is time, d is displacement, and V is velocity. For example, if Phillip's displacement to school is 428 m west and his velocity is 1.7 m/s west, his travel time would be 252 seconds west adhering to significant figures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Computing Travel Time using the Velocity Method
To compute the travel time using the velocity method, we need to know the displacement (distance) and the velocity. The formula for average velocity (V) is displacement (d) divided by time (t), which can be rearranged to solve for time: t = d/V.
Let's use this method to solve a practice problem where Phillip walks to school.
Solving for Time Example
Phillip's displacement is 428 m west, and his average velocity is 1.7 m/s west. To find out how long it will take him to reach school, we rearrange the velocity equation to solve for time:
t = d/V
By inserting the values we have:
t = 428 m / 1.7 m/s = 251.76 s
Since the direction is consistent throughout, it can be omitted in the calculation and added again in reporting the final answer, making Phillip's travel time to school 252 seconds to the west, considering significant figures.