what is difference between average velocity and average speed

Dear student,

I will explain you this in a very non bookish language. Let us look below.

Suppose your college is at distance 20km from your home and today you have to attend the college.

You took your scooter and traveled to your college in 40 minutes but when you reached to the college gate you realized that you have forgot your I'd card and you are not allowed to enter the college.

Now you decided to go back to home and bring your I'd card. while going back to home you  drived fast and reached in 20 minutes. You took your I'd card and then again you took 20 minutes to reach back to college.

Now, you know what your average speed will, it will be total distance travelled by you devided by total time, so total distance you traveled is 25+ 25 + 25= 75 and total time is 40+ 20+20 = 80

So average speed = 75/80

However your average velocity will be total displacement by total time, now what is your displacement, it is just 25km as your final position is your college.

So average velocity = 25/80

I hope it clarify your doubt.

All the very best!!

Hello Candidate,

The first difference between average speed and average velocity is that velocity is a vector quantity which represents both direction as well as magnitude whereas speed is a scalar quantity which provides us only the information about the magnitude.

Moreover, the average velocity refers to the total displacement of the body divided by the total time interval taken to reach that displacement. Average speed refers to the total distance covered by a particular body / the time interval taken to cover that distance.

Hope you found it helpful. If you have any further queries feel free to post it here!!