Final answer:
The average velocity of the woodchuck is 2.98 m/s to the right, and its average speed is 13.62 m/s. To find these, total displacement and total distance were used along with the total time taken for both segments of the woodchuck's run.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the average velocity and average speed of the woodchuck, we use the definitions of these concepts. Average velocity is the total displacement divided by the total time, while average speed is the total distance covered divided by the total time.
- First, we determine the total displacement. To the right is positive, and to the left is negative. So the displacement is 39 m - 25 m = 14 m.
- Then we add the times for both segments of the run, which is 1.6 s + 3.1 s = 4.7 s.
- We now calculate the average velocity: 14 m / 4.7 s ≈ 2.98 m/s to the right.
- To find the average speed, we consider the total distance traveled, which is 39 m + 25 m = 64 m.
- Finally, the average speed is 64 m / 4.7 s ≈ 13.62 m/s.
Note that the average velocity takes into account the direction, so it is less than the average speed in this case because the woodchuck changes direction during its run.