A Labrador retriever runs 50 m in 7.2 s to retrieve a toy bird. The dog then runs half way back in 3.85 s. Determine the average speed and velocity of the dog

The average velocity and average speed of the dog are 2.262 meters per second and 6.787 meters per second, respectively.

Explanation:

From Physics we must remember the definitions of average speed and average velocity, both measured in meters per second. Velocity is a vectorial quantity, that is, it has both magnitude and direction, whereas speed is an scalar quantity, which is a quantity that is represented solely by its magnitude. We assume that dog moves at constant speed.

For the case of the dog, we get that average speed and average velocity of the animal are, respectively:

Average velocity:

(Eq. 1)

Where:

- Travelling time of the dog, measured in seconds.

- Initial vector position of the dog, measured in meters.

- Final vector position of the dog, measured in meters.

Average speed:

(Eq. 2)

Where and are the travelled distances of each stage, measured in meters.

If we know that , and , and , average velocity and average speed are, respectively:

The average velocity and average speed of the dog are 2.262 meters per second and 6.787 meters per second, respectively.