Question

If a body starts from a point and then returns to the same point, then its

• A. Average velocity is zero but not average speed.
• B. Average speed is zero but not average velocity.
• C. Both average speed and velocity is zero.
• D. Average speed and average velocity depends upon the path.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Average velocity is zero but not average speed.

1. Average velocity is defined as total displacement divided by the total time taken.
2. Average speed is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken.
3. Average speed depends on the path but average velocity depends on initial and final position of a body.
4. In the above case, displacement is zero but the distance traveled is not zero.
5. Therefore, average velocity will be zero while average speed will not be zero.

Hence, the correct option is (A).