Math Problem Statement

A train travels 10 km for 50 seconds and then stops for 20 seconds. It then travels another 10 km for 75 seconds. What is the train's average velocity during all 145 seconds?

Average Velocity = displacement/change in time

Solution

To find the train's average velocity over the entire 145 seconds, we'll use the formula for average velocity:

Average Velocity=Total DisplacementTotal Time\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{\text{Total Displacement}}{\text{Total Time}}

Step 1: Calculate the total displacement.

The train travels 10 km in the first segment and 10 km in the second segment, so the total displacement is:

Total Displacement=10 km+10 km=20 km\text{Total Displacement} = 10 \text{ km} + 10 \text{ km} = 20 \text{ km}

Step 2: Determine the total time.

The total time includes the time taken to travel each segment and the time spent stopped:

Total Time=50 s+20 s+75 s=145 s\text{Total Time} = 50 \text{ s} + 20 \text{ s} + 75 \text{ s} = 145 \text{ s}

Step 3: Calculate the average velocity.

Now, plug the values into the formula for average velocity:

Average Velocity=20 km145 s\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{20 \text{ km}}{145 \text{ s}}

Step 4: Convert the units if necessary.

Since velocity is typically expressed in meters per second (m/s), we'll convert the displacement from kilometers to meters:

20 km=20,000 m20 \text{ km} = 20,000 \text{ m}

Now, the average velocity is:

Average Velocity=20,000 m145 s137.93 m/s\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{20,000 \text{ m}}{145 \text{ s}} \approx 137.93 \text{ m/s}

So, the train's average velocity over the 145 seconds is approximately 137.93 m/s.

Would you like more details or have any questions?


Here are 5 related questions for further exploration:

  1. How would the average velocity change if the stop time was reduced to 10 seconds?
  2. What would be the train's average speed if it traveled 15 km in the first segment and 5 km in the second segment?
  3. How does the concept of average speed differ from average velocity?
  4. If the train had accelerated or decelerated during each segment, how would you calculate the average velocity?
  5. What is the significance of uniform motion in calculating average velocity?

Tip: When calculating average velocity, always ensure that the total displacement and total time are considered, rather than focusing on individual segments.

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Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Physics
Kinematics

Formulas

Average Velocity = Total Displacement / Total Time

Theorems

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Suitable Grade Level

High School