Question

A train leaves the station heading north on the tracks. It takes the train 6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour. It completes the entire 60 mile trip in one hour. Calculate the train's average speed and velocity over the one hour trip. Show your work. Identify if Each of the measurements are a scalar or vector quantity.

Answer 1

this is what answers.com says


I think the bit about "It takes the train 6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour" is a red herring which isn't needed to answer the question. Average speed = total distance / total time.

The train does the 60 mile trip in one hour, so its average speed is 60 miles per hour. This is a scalar quantity, because it has no information about direction.

The train does the 60 mile trip trip in one hour heading North, so its velocity is 60 mph North. This is a vector quantity, because it includes direction as well as speed.

Answer 2

@madiiharrell