Questions: Which of the following have the same direction as the average velocity?
Initial position minus final position
Displacement
Final position minus initial position
Transcript text: Which of the following have the same direction as the average velocity?
Initial position minus final position
Displacement
Final position minus initial position
Solution
Solution Steps
Step 1: Understanding Average Velocity
Average velocity is defined as the displacement divided by the time interval. Mathematically, it is given by:
\[
\vec{v}_{\text{avg}} = \frac{\vec{d}}{\Delta t}
\]
where \(\vec{d}\) is the displacement vector and \(\Delta t\) is the time interval.
Step 2: Identifying Displacement
Displacement is the vector that points from the initial position to the final position. It is given by:
\[
\vec{d} = \vec{r}_{\text{final}} - \vec{r}_{\text{initial}}
\]
Step 3: Comparing Directions
Initial position minus final position: This vector points from the final position back to the initial position, which is the opposite direction of the displacement.
Displacement: This vector points from the initial position to the final position, which is the same direction as the average velocity.
Final position minus initial position: This vector is the displacement vector, which points from the initial position to the final position.