Chapter 2.1, Problem 9R

To determine

To describe: whether instantaneous speed can be greater than its average speed or not during a trip.

Answer to Problem 9R

Instantaneous speed can be greater than the average speed

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An object's average velocity is the overall distance traveled by the object measured by the time taken to reach that distance. It's a scalar quantity. For a given moment in time, an object's speed is defined as instantaneous speed.

To figure out how far an object is located or how rapidly it is traveling, one needs a reference point from which to calculate it. Each of the physical calculations from a reference point is performed. Measurement is an object’s position concerning some other related parameter.

Average speed is considered the average of the total distance traveled by an object over the total time taken for the event or trip.

The instantaneous speed is the speed of the object at any given time. This can be greater than the average speed, but when the object is moving with constant speed then instantaneous speed will be equal to average speed.

Conclusion:

Hence, instantaneous speed can be greater than the average speed.