Average velocity is often confused with average speed, because both relate to how fast an object moves. However, average velocity has a direction while average speed does not. If you run around in a circle really fast but end at the same spot you started, your average speed may be high but your average velocity will be zero, because you ended in the same place you started. Your displacement equals zero. Units used to report average velocity include feet per second, miles per hour, meters per second and kilometers per hour.
- Calculator
- Stopwatch
- Measuring device
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Instructions
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1
Track the time with a stopwatch.
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2
Measure the distance from the starting point to the ending point with a ruler, measuring tape, click wheel or other measuring device. This is known as the displacement.
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3
Divide the displacement by the time to find the average velocity. For example, if the displacement equals 12 miles and the time equals 2 hours, divide 12 by 2 to get an average velocity of 6 mph.