Velocity Physics Example 2

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 2

medium
A cyclist rides 200 m200 \text{ m} north in 40 s40 \text{ s}, then 200 m200 \text{ m} south in 60 s60 \text{ s}. What is the average velocity and average speed?

Solution

  1. 1
    Total displacement: 200−200=0 m200 - 200 = 0 \text{ m}. Total time: 40+60=100 s40 + 60 = 100 \text{ s}.
  2. 2
    Average velocity: vavg=0100=0 m/sv_{\text{avg}} = \frac{0}{100} = 0 \text{ m/s}
  3. 3
    Average speed: savg=total distancetotal time=400100=4 m/ss_{\text{avg}} = \frac{\text{total distance}}{\text{total time}} = \frac{400}{100} = 4 \text{ m/s}

Answer

vavg=0 m/s,savg=4 m/sv_{\text{avg}} = 0 \text{ m/s}, \quad s_{\text{avg}} = 4 \text{ m/s}
Average velocity can be zero even when the object is in constant motion, if it returns to its starting point. Average speed is always positive as it uses total distance.

About Velocity

The rate of change of position with respect to time, including both magnitude and direction.

Learn more about Velocity →

More Velocity Examples

Example 1 easy

A car travels [formula] east in [formula]. What is its average velocity?

Example 3 medium

A particle's position is given by [formula]. What is the instantaneous velocity at [formula]?

Example 4 medium

A car accelerates from [formula] to [formula] in [formula]. Find the average velocity.

Example 5 medium

A car drives [formula] north in [formula], then [formula] south in [formula]. Find: (a) average spee

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