1. What is Average Velocity in Physics?

Definition: Average velocity is the displacement of an object divided by the time interval during which the displacement occurs.

Purpose: It describes how fast an object's position changes over time, including the direction of motion.

2. How Does the Average Velocity Formula Work?

The formula for average velocity is:

Where:

• \( v_{avg} \) — Average velocity (meters/second)
• \( \Delta x \) — Displacement (meters)
• \( \Delta t \) — Time interval (seconds)

Explanation: Displacement is the change in position (final position minus initial position), while time interval is the duration of the motion.

3. Importance of Average Velocity

Details: Unlike speed, average velocity includes direction information, making it a vector quantity essential for analyzing motion in physics.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the displacement in meters and time interval in seconds. Time must be greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is average velocity different from average speed?
A: Velocity includes direction (vector quantity) while speed only considers magnitude (scalar quantity).

Q2: Can average velocity be zero?
A: Yes, if an object returns to its starting point, displacement is zero making average velocity zero.

Q3: What if the time interval approaches zero?
A: As Δt→0, you get instantaneous velocity rather than average velocity.

Q4: Does average velocity depend on the path taken?
A: No, only on the net displacement between start and end points.

Q5: What are typical units for average velocity?
A: Meters per second (m/s) in SI units, but can also be km/h, mph, etc. depending on context.