Average Velocity Calculator

How to Calculate Average Velocity

Average velocity is a crucial concept in physics that describes the overall rate of change of position for an object over a given time interval. It provides a simplified view of motion, especially useful when dealing with non-uniform motion.

What is the Formula for Average Velocity?

The basic formula for average velocity is:

\[ v_{avg} = \frac{v_0 + v_1}{2} \]

Where:

• \(v_{avg}\) is the average velocity
• \(v_0\) is the initial velocity
• \(v_1\) is the final velocity

What are the calculation steps?

1. Identify the initial velocity (\(v_0\)) and final velocity (\(v_1\)) of the object.
2. Ensure both velocities are in the same unit of measurement.
3. Add the initial and final velocities.
4. Divide the sum by 2 to get the average velocity.

Example of Average Velocity Calculation

Let's calculate the average velocity of a car that starts at 20 m/s and ends at 30 m/s:

Given:

• Initial velocity (\(v_0\)) = 20 m/s
• Final velocity (\(v_1\)) = 30 m/s

Using the average velocity formula:

\[ v_{avg} = \frac{v_0 + v_1}{2} = \frac{20 + 30}{2} = \frac{50}{2} = 25 \text{ m/s} \]

Therefore, the average velocity of the car is 25 m/s.

Diagram of Average Velocity

The following diagram illustrates the concept of average velocity:

This graph shows velocity changing over time. The blue line represents the actual velocity, while the red dashed line represents the average velocity. The average velocity is the constant velocity that would result in the same displacement over the same time interval.