Understanding Displacement and Velocity
* Displacement: Displacement is the change in position of an object. It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (how far) and direction. If an object ends up at the same position it started, its displacement is zero.
* Average Velocity: Average velocity is the total displacement divided by the total time taken. It's also a vector quantity.
The Scenario
Imagine a runner running a circular track. After one complete lap, the runner returns to their starting point. Here's the breakdown:
* Displacement: The runner's displacement is zero because they end up back where they started.
* Average Velocity: The runner has covered a distance, and it took time to do so. Since the runner had a non-zero distance covered in a finite time, their average velocity is non-zero.
Example:
If the runner completes a 400-meter lap in 60 seconds, their average speed is 400 meters/60 seconds = 6.67 m/s. However, their average velocity is zero because their displacement is zero.
Key Takeaway:
Zero displacement does not necessarily mean zero average velocity. It's possible to have a non-zero average velocity if the object travels a path that brings it back to its starting point.
