Question

In an experiment, a shearwater (a seabird) was taken from its nest, flown a distance 5220 km away, and released. It found its way back to its nest 13.3 days after release.a) If we place the origin in the nest and extend the +x-axis to the release point, what was the bird's average velocity for the return flight? b)What was the bird's average velocity in m/s for the whole episode, from leaving the nest to returning?

Answer 1

For the return flight, the bird's average velocity is 6.38 m/s, while for the whole episode, the average velocity is 0 m/s.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) To find the bird's average velocity for the return flight, we need to calculate the displacement and divide it by the time taken. The displacement is the distance between the release point and the nest, which is 5220 km. The time taken is 13.3 days, which can be converted to seconds by multiplying by 24 (hours in a day) and 60 (minutes in an hour). Therefore, the average velocity is:

Average velocity = displacement / time = 5220 km / (13.3 days * 24 hours/day * 60 minutes/hour * 60 seconds/minute) = 6.38 m/s

b) To find the bird's average velocity for the whole episode, we need to calculate the total displacement and divide it by the total time taken. The total displacement is 0 km, as the bird returns to its nest. The total time taken is the time taken for the return flight plus the time taken for the outward flight, which is 2 * 13.3 days. Therefore, the average velocity is:

Average velocity = total displacement / total time = 0 km / (2 * 13.3 days * 24 hours/day * 60 minutes/hour * 60 seconds/minute) = 0 m/s

Answer 2

a) The average velocity of the bird for the return flight was -392 km/day.

b) For the whole trip, the average velocity is zero.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hi there!

The average velocity (AV) is calculated as the displacement over time:

AV = Δx / Δt

Where:

Δx = displacement = final position - initial position.

Δt = elapsed time.

a) First, let´s find the displacement:

The initial position is 5220 km away from the origin and the final position is the origin, 0 km. Then:

Δx = final position - initial position

Δx = 0 km - 5220 km = -5220 km

The elapsed time, Δt, is 13.3 days.

Then, the average velocity will be:

AV = Δx / Δt

AV = -5220 km / 13.3 days

AV = -392 km/day

The average velocity of the bird for the return flight was -392 km/day.

b) Again, let´s find the total displacement, Δx:

Δx = final position - initial position

For the whole trip, the final and initial position are the same (the nest, i.e, the origin), then, Δx = 0.

Thus, the average velocity will be zero:

AV = Δx/Δt = 0/Δt = 0 m/s

For the whole trip, the average velocity is zero.