Compare average speed and velocity
See this course’s project requirements
A fictional cart-motion report with position and velocity graphs, net-force reasoning, a mass/acceleration comparison and a checked prediction.
Keep your working files in your own notebook or software. Save a private description, checklist, and work link in My Proof.
What to include
- Define a reference frame and calculate distance versus displacement.
- Plot the supplied position-time graph and compute both averages.
- Calculate acceleration from velocity change.
- Draw a one-object force diagram and sum components.
- Compare masses under fixed net force.
- Test the final prediction against supplied data and include changed cases.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Method: applies the course-specific rules to the supplied cases with visible intermediate work.
- Accuracy: results agree with the stated facts, units, boundaries and independent checks.
- Reasoning: explains why the result follows and identifies a limitation or unresolved question.
- Transfer: completes changed cases and revises the final project when a relevant assumption changes.
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The idea in everyday life
Cart record: t=0 s, x=0 m; t=2 s, x=6 m; t=4 s, x=2 m. Motion is straight with no unrecorded turns inside each interval. East is positive.
Average speed is total distance divided by elapsed time; average velocity is displacement divided by elapsed time. Velocity carries direction. A position-time graph’s slope over an interval is average velocity, so use time horizontally and position vertically with units.
Compare average speed and velocity — worked practice
Average speed is total distance divided by elapsed time; average velocity is displacement divided by elapsed time. Velocity carries direction. A position-time graph’s slope over an interval is average velocity, so use time horizontally and position vertically with units.
Cart record: t=0 s, x=0 m; t=2 s, x=6 m; t=4 s, x=2 m. Motion is straight with no unrecorded turns inside each interval. East is positive.
1. 1. Plot
Place the three time/position points on labeled axes and join the stated straight intervals.
You should see: (0,0),(2,6),(4,2), with a rising then falling segment.
2. 2. Distance
Find the two path lengths and total.
You should see: 6 m outward and 4 m return; total 10 m.
3. 3. Compare
Calculate full-record average speed and velocity.
You should see: Speed 10/4=2.5 m/s; velocity 2/4=0.5 m/s east.
4. 4. Slope
Calculate the second interval’s signed slope.
You should see: (2−6)/(4−2)=−2 m/s, so this interval points west.
What to finish
A position-time graph and two average calculations with directions.
Watch for this
A returning path can have zero net displacement and positive distance. Dividing those distinct numerators by time gives different averages.
How can I tell I understand it?
Calculate a changed path’s speed without replacing its distance by displacement.
Quick knowledge check
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
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