Question 920 of 949
A car travels 150 kilometers north in 2 hours and then 50 kilometers south in 1 hour. What is the average velocity of the car for the entire trip?
- 50 km/h north
- 100 km/h north
- 25 km/h south
- 33.33 km/h north
Correct Answer:
A
Explanation
To determine the average velocity of the car for the entire trip, we need to follow a systematic approach. Let's break it down step-by-step.
### Step 1: Understand the Concept of Average Velocity
Average velocity is defined as the total displacement divided by the total time taken. Displacement is the straight-line distance from the starting point to the final position, along with the direction.
### Step 2: Calculate Total Displacement
1. **First Leg of the Trip**: The car travels 150 kilometers north.
2. **Second Leg of the Trip**: The car then travels 50 kilometers south.
To find the total displacement:
- Start at the origin (0 km).
- After the first leg, the position is +150 km (north).
- After the second leg, the position is +150 km - 50 km = +100 km (north).
Thus, the total displacement is **100 kilometers north**.
### Step 3: Calculate Total Time
1. **Time for the First Leg**: 2 hours.
2. **Time for the Second Leg**: 1 hour.
Total time taken = 2 hours + 1 hour = **3 hours**.
### Step 4: Calculate Average Velocity
Now, we can calculate the average velocity using the formula:
\[
\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{\text{Total Displacement}}{\text{Total Time}}
\]
Substituting the values we found:
\[
\text{Average Velocity} = \frac{100 \text{ km (north)}}{3 \text{ hours}} \approx 33.33 \text{ km/h (north)}
\]
### Conclusion
The average velocity of the car for the entire trip is approximately **33.33 km/h north**. Therefore, the correct answer is **D. 33.33 km/h north**.
### Explanation of Other Options
- **A. 50 km/h north**: This option is incorrect because it does not take into account the total displacement and total time correctly. It seems to be an average speed calculation rather than average velocity.
- **B. 100 km/h north**: This option is also incorrect. It suggests that the car would have traveled 100 km in 1 hour, which is not the case since the total time is 3 hours.
- **C. 25 km/h south**: This option is incorrect as it suggests a southward average velocity, which contradicts the net displacement being north.
### Common Pitfalls
- Confusing average speed with average velocity: Average speed is total distance divided by total time, while average velocity considers direction.
- Not accounting for direction when calculating displacement: Always remember that displacement is a vector quantity, which means it has both magnitude and direction.
### Revision Summary
- Average velocity = Total displacement / Total time.
- Displacement is the straight-line distance from start to finish, considering direction.
- For this problem, total displacement is 100 km north, and total time is 3 hours.
- The average velocity is approximately 33.33 km/h north.