Help with this problem velocity

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In summary, velocity is a measure of an object's change in position over time and includes both speed and direction. It is calculated by dividing the change in position by the change in time, with units varying depending on the system used. Velocity is different from speed in that it is a vector quantity and affects an object's motion by determining its speed and direction.
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luckylayla
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A automotive test driver travels due north in a prototype hybrid vehicle at 30 mi/h for 2 hours. She then reverses her direction and travels due south at 60 mi/h for 1 hour.

What is the average velocity of the vehicle?



40 mi/h, south



45 mi/h, north



45 mi/h, south



zero mi/h



40 mi/h, north
 
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Do you know the meaning of "average velocity"? (And, most especially, do you know the difference between that and "average speed"?) How far from the starting position did she wind up? How long did it take her to move there?
 

FAQ: Help with this problem velocity

What is velocity?

Velocity is a measure of the change in position of an object over time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.

How do you calculate velocity?

Velocity is calculated by dividing the change in an object's position by the amount of time it takes for that change to occur. The formula for velocity is v = Δx / Δt, where v is velocity, Δx is the change in position, and Δt is the change in time.

What are the units of velocity?

The units of velocity depend on the units of distance and time used. In the SI system, the units of velocity are meters per second (m/s). In the imperial system, the units are feet per second (ft/s) or miles per hour (mph).

What is the difference between velocity and speed?

Velocity and speed are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in physics. Speed is a scalar quantity that only describes how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction.

How does velocity affect an object's motion?

The velocity of an object determines how it moves. A higher velocity means the object will cover more distance in the same amount of time, while a lower velocity means the object will move slower. The direction of the velocity also determines the path of the object's motion.

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