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Which best describes a situation in which the average velocity and the instantan

ID: 1593583 • Letter: W

Question

Which best describes a situation in which the average velocity and the instantaneous velocity vectors are identical? Also, which best describes a situation in which these two velocity vectors are different?

1.If an object is moving at a changing velocity (i.e., its speed and direction are changing), then the average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal. If the object is moving at a constant velocity, then its average velocity will never equal its instantaneous velocity.

2.If an object is moving at a constant speed, then the average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal, regardless of how the direction changes. If the object is not moving at a constant speed, then its average velocity will not equal its instantaneous velocity.   

3.If an object is moving at a constant velocity (i.e., its speed and direction are constant), then the average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal. If the object is not moving at a constant velocity (i.e., its speed is changing, its direction is changing, or both), then its average velocity will not equal its instantaneous velocity.

4.If an object is moving in a constant direction, then the average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal, regardless of how the speed changes. If the object is not moving at a constant direction, then its average velocity will not equal its instantaneous velocity.

Explanation / Answer

The statement 3 is current answer.

If an object is moving at a constant velocity (i.e., its speed and direction are constant), then the average velocity and instantaneous velocity are equal. If the object is not moving at a constant velocity (i.e., its speed is changing, its direction is changing, or both), then its average velocity will not equal its instantaneous velocity.