<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >

Section summary

  • Time is measured in terms of change, and its SI unit is the second (s). Elapsed time for an event is
    Δ t = t f t 0 , size 12{Δt=t rSub { size 8{f} } - t rSub { size 8{0} } } {}
    where t f size 12{t rSub { size 8{f} } } {} is the final time and t 0 size 12{t rSub { size 8{0} } } {} is the initial time. The initial time is often taken to be zero, as if measured with a stopwatch; the elapsed time is then just t size 12{t} {} .
  • Average velocity v - size 12{ { bar {v}}} {} is defined as displacement divided by the travel time. In symbols, average velocity is
    v - = Δ x Δ t = x f x 0 t f t 0 . size 12{ { bar {v}}= { {Δx} over {Δt} } = { {x rSub { size 8{f} } - x rSub { size 8{0} } } over {t rSub { size 8{f} } - t rSub { size 8{0} } } } "." } {}
  • The SI unit for velocity is m/s.
  • Velocity is a vector and thus has a direction.
  • Instantaneous velocity v size 12{v} {} is the velocity at a specific instant or the average velocity for an infinitesimal interval.
  • Instantaneous speed is the magnitude of the instantaneous velocity.
  • Instantaneous speed is a scalar quantity, as it has no direction specified.
  • Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the elapsed time. (Average speed is not the magnitude of the average velocity.) Speed is a scalar quantity; it has no direction associated with it.

Conceptual questions

Give an example (but not one from the text) of a device used to measure time and identify what change in that device indicates a change in time.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

There is a distinction between average speed and the magnitude of average velocity. Give an example that illustrates the difference between these two quantities.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Does a car's odometer measure position or displacement? Does its speedometer measure speed or velocity?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If you divide the total distance traveled on a car trip (as determined by the odometer) by the time for the trip, are you calculating the average speed or the magnitude of the average velocity? Under what circumstances are these two quantities the same?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

How are instantaneous velocity and instantaneous speed related to one another? How do they differ?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Problems&Exercises

(a) Calculate Earth's average speed relative to the Sun. (b) What is its average velocity over a period of one year?

(a) 3 . 0 × 10 4 m/s size 12{3 "." "0 " times "10" rSup { size 8{4} } " m/s"} {}

(b) 0 m/s

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

A helicopter blade spins at exactly 100 revolutions per minute. Its tip is 5.00 m from the center of rotation. (a) Calculate the average speed of the blade tip in the helicopter's frame of reference. (b) What is its average velocity over one revolution?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

The North American and European continents are moving apart at a rate of about 3 cm/y. At this rate how long will it take them to drift 500 km farther apart than they are at present?

2 × 10 7 years size 12{2 times "10" rSup { size 8{7} } " years"} {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Land west of the San Andreas fault in southern California is moving at an average velocity of about 6 cm/y northwest relative to land east of the fault. Los Angeles is west of the fault and may thus someday be at the same latitude as San Francisco, which is east of the fault. How far in the future will this occur if the displacement to be made is 590 km northwest, assuming the motion remains constant?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

On May 26, 1934, a streamlined, stainless steel diesel train called the Zephyr set the world's nonstop long-distance speed record for trains. Its run from Denver to Chicago took 13 hours, 4 minutes, 58 seconds, and was witnessed by more than a million people along the route. The total distance traveled was 1633.8 km. What was its average speed in km/h and m/s?

34 . 689 m/s = 124 . 88 km/h

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

it is the relatively stable flow of income
Chidubem Reply
what is circular flow of income
Divine Reply
branches of macroeconomics
SHEDRACK Reply
what is Flexible exchang rate?
poudel Reply
is gdp a reliable measurement of wealth
Atega Reply
introduction to econometrics
Husseini Reply
Hi
mostafa
hi
LEMLEM
hello
Sammol
hi
Mahesh
bi
Ruqayat
hi
Ruqayat
Hi fellas
Nyawa
hey
Sammol
hi
God
hello
Jahara
Good morning
Jorge
hi
abubakar
hi
Nmesoma
hi
Mahesh
Hi
Tom
Why is unemployment rate never zero at full employment?
Priyanka Reply
bcoz of existence of frictional unemployment in our economy.
Umashankar
what is flexible exchang rate?
poudel
due to existence of the pple with disabilities
Abdulraufu
the demand of a good rises, causing the demand for another good to fall
Rushawn Reply
is it possible to leave every good at the same level
Joseph
I don't think so. because check it, if the demand for chicken increases, people will no longer consume fish like they used to causing a fall in the demand for fish
Anuolu
is not really possible to let the value of a goods to be same at the same time.....
Salome
Suppose the inflation rate is 6%, does it mean that all the goods you purchase will cost 6% more than previous year? Provide with reasoning.
Geetha Reply
Not necessarily. To measure the inflation rate economists normally use an averaged price index of a basket of certain goods. So if you purchase goods included in the basket, you will notice that you pay 6% more, otherwise not necessarily.
Waeth
discus major problems of macroeconomics
Alii Reply
what is the problem of macroeconomics
Yoal
Economic growth Stable prices and low unemployment
Ephraim
explain inflationcause and itis degre
Miresa Reply
what is inflation
Getu
increase in general price levels
WEETO
Good day How do I calculate this question: C= 100+5yd G= 2000 T= 2000 I(planned)=200. Suppose the actual output is 3000. What is the level of planned expenditures at this level of output?
Chisomo Reply
how to calculate actual output?
Chisomo
how to calculate the equilibrium income
Beshir
Criteria for determining money supply
Thapase Reply
who we can define macroeconomics in one line
Muhammad
Aggregate demand
Mohammed
C=k100 +9y and i=k50.calculate the equilibrium level of output
Mercy Reply
Hi
Isiaka
Hi
Geli
hy
Man
👋
Bahunda
hy how are you?
Man
ys
Amisha
how are you guys
Sekou
f9 guys
Amisha
how are you guys
Sekou
ys am also fine
Amisha
fine and you guys
Geli
from Nepal
Amisha
nawalparasi district from belatari
Amisha
nd u
Amisha
I am Camara from Guinea west Africa... happy to meet you guys here
Sekou
ma management ho
Amisha
ahile becheclor ho
Amisha
hjr ktm bta ho ani k kaam grnu hunxa tw
Amisha
belatari
Amisha
1st year ho
Amisha
nd u
Amisha
ahh
Amisha
kaha biratnagar
Amisha
ys
Amisha
kina k vo
Amisha
money as unit of account means what?
Kalombe
A unit of account is something that can be used to value goods and services and make calculations
Jim
all of you please speak in English I can't understand you're language
Muhammad
I want to know how can we define macroeconomics in one line
Muhammad
it must be .9 or 0.9 no Mpc is greater than 1 Y=100+.9Y+50 Y-.9Y=150 0.1Y/0.1=150/0.1 Y=1500
Kalombe
Mercy is it clear?😋
Kalombe
hi can someone help me on this question If a negative shocks shifts the IS curve to the left, what type of policy do you suggest so as to stabilize the level of output? discuss your answer using appropriate graph.
Galge Reply
if interest rate is increased this will will reduce the level of income shifting the curve to the left ◀️
Kalombe
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 7

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College physics for ap® courses' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask