Question

Under what condition(s) is the magnitude of the average velocity of an object equal to its average speed?

Answer 1

1. Velocity can be defined as the rate of change of displacement with time.
2. It is a vector quantity so has both magnitude and direction.
3. Speed can be defined as the total distance traveled by a body per unit of time.
4. It is a scalar quantity so has only magnitude.
5. There is one and only one condition when the magnitude of the average velocity of an object is equal to its average speed, that is when the body is traveling in a straight line in one direction.

Hence, the magnitude of the average velocity of an object is equal to its average speed when the body is traveling in a straight line in one direction.