A ball is rolled, travelling 10 m north in 5s, then 10 m east in 10s. What is the total distance and average speed of the ball? What is the total displacement and average velocity of the ball?

First to note is how average speed, v, distance, d, and time, t, are related. This is given by v = d/t. The journey is split into two parts, but we are only asked for the total distance and average speed. It is clear that the total distance is given by 10m + 10m = 20m, from the first and second parts of the journey. The total time is t = 5s + 10s = 15 s. Hence v = 20/15 = 1.33 m/s. The total displacement can be determined by drawing a triangle of the path travelled. Using Pythagoras Theorem one can determine that the displacement, D, is D = the square root of(10^2+10^2 = 200)= 14.1 m north-east. The velocity, V, is then given by V = D/t, similar to how distance and speed are related. So V = 14.1/15 = 0.94 m/s north-east. Importantly the direction are required for displacement and velocity as they are vectors.

AS
Answered by Alvin S. Physics tutor

2590 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

State what is meant by a Doppler shift and describe how it was used to study the movement of galaxies.


A space probe of mass 1000kg, moving at 200m/s, explosively ejects a capsule of mass 300kg. The speed of the probe after the explosion is 250m/s. What is the velocity of the capsule?


On the line of centres between the Earth and the Moon, there is a point where the net gravitational force is zero. Given that the distance between the two is 385,000 km, and that the Earth has a mass 81x that of the Moon, how far is this point from Earth?


If a car is traveling at a speed of 10m/s. The driving force of 500N is required to keep the speed constant . What is the power supplied by the engine?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences