Concept Library / Kinematics

Average Velocity

Average velocity is displacement divided by the time interval.

v¯=ΔsΔt
Full explanation

Average velocity is displacement divided by the time interval.

v¯=ΔsΔt

Average velocity answers: what constant velocity would produce the same displacement in the same time?

An object can travel a large distance and still have zero average velocity if it returns to its starting point.

Formula / representation
v¯=sf-siΔt

The sign shows the net direction of the displacement.

Units
ms-1
Common misconceptions
  • Using total distance in the numerator.
  • Ignoring the sign of displacement.
  • Thinking average velocity describes every moment of the journey.
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