The Basics of Average Speed

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 98 views

In physics, average speed is a crucial concept that helps us understand how fast an object is moving over a certain distance. It's defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. In this article, we'll explore how to calculate average speed and apply it to a real-world scenario.

The Basics of Average Speed

Average speed is calculated using the formula:

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

This formula is essential in understanding how to calculate average speed. Let's break it down further.

Calculating Average Speed

To calculate average speed, we need to know the total distance traveled and the total time taken. In this case, we're given the total time taken to travel between the Chalco booth and the center of Puebla, which is 1 hour and 45 minutes.

Converting Time to Hours

Before we can calculate the average speed, we need to convert the time from hours and minutes to just hours. We can do this by dividing the minutes by 60.

1 hour 45 minutes = 1 + (45/60) = 1.75 hours

Calculating the Average Speed

Now that we have the total time taken, we can calculate the average speed using the formula:

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

We're given the average speed as 70 km/hr, and the total time taken as 1.75 hours. We can rearrange the formula to solve for the total distance:

Total Distance = Average Speed x Total Time

Plugging in the values, we get:

Total Distance = 70 km/hr x 1.75 hours = 122.5 km

Applying the Concept to a Real-World Scenario

Now that we've calculated the total distance, let's apply the concept to a real-world scenario. We're given that the route between the Chalco booth and the center of Puebla is made in 1 hour and 45 minutes at an average speed of 70 km/hr. We want to find the average speed to make the route in 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Calculating the New Average Speed

To calculate the new average speed, we need to know the total distance traveled and the new total time taken. We already know the total distance traveled, which is 122.5 km. We're given the new total time taken as 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Converting Time to Hours

Before we can calculate the new average speed, we need to convert the time from hours and minutes to just hours. We can do this by dividing the minutes by 60.

1 hour 30 minutes = 1 + (30/60) = 1.5 hours

Calculating the New Average Speed

Now that we have the new total time taken, we can calculate the new average speed using the formula:

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time

Plugging in the values, we get:

Average Speed = 122.5 km / 1.5 hours = 81.67 km/hr

Conclusion

In this article, we've explored how to calculate average speed and applied it to a real-world scenario. We've calculated the total distance traveled between the Chalco booth and the center of Puebla, and then used that distance to find the average speed to make the route in 1 hour and 30 minutes. The new average speed is 81.67 km/hr.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is average speed? A: Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken.
Q: How do I calculate average speed? A: You can calculate average speed using the formula: Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time.
Q: What is the total distance traveled between the Chalco booth and the center of Puebla? A: The total distance traveled is 122.5 km.
Q: What is the new average speed to make the route in 1 hour and 30 minutes? A: The new average speed is 81.67 km/hr.