Question

If a runner travels 250 meters north in 50 seconds, the what is his average velocity?

Answer 1

5 m/s north

Step-by-step explanation:

Average velocity is total displacement over total time. Displacement means change in position or a distance between initial position to final position.

In mathematically, average velocity can be expressed as:

`\displaystyle{\vec{v}_\sf{average}} = \frac{\sum \vec{s}}{\sum t}}`

Where
`\displaystyle{\vec v}` is velocity,
`\displaystyle{\vec s}` is displacement and
`\displaystyle{t}` is time. You may notice the sigma notation
`\displaystyle{\sum}`, that denotes the sum of displacement and time (total displacement and total time).

A runner travels 250 meters north 50 seconds. Therefore, we know that the displacement changes from origin position (0 meter) to 250 meters up the north. Therefore, the displacement is 250 meters north and time is 50 seconds.

Therefore, substitute in the formula:

`\displaystyle{\vec{v}_\sf{average}} = (250)/(50)}\\\\\displaystyle{\vec{v}_\sf{average}} = 5 \ \, \sf{m/s \ \, north}}`

Therefore, the average velocity is 5 m/s north.