College Physics by Openstax Chapter 2 Problem 5: The Earth’s average speed and velocity

Problem:

(a) Calculate Earth’s average speed relative to the Sun.

(b) What is its average velocity over a period of one year?

Solution:

Part A

The average speed of the earth is equal to the distance traveled divided by time.

\begin{align*} \text{Average speed of the Earth} & =\frac{\text{Distance Traveled}}{\text{Total time of Travel}} \\ \\ & =\frac{2\pi \text{r}}{\text{t}} \\ \\ & =\frac{2\pi \left(1.50\times 10^{11}\text{ m}\right)}{365.25\:\text{days}}\times \frac{1\:\text{day}}{24\:\text{hours}}\times \frac{1\:\text{hour}}{3600\:\text{sec}} \\ \\ & =2.99\times 10^4\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right) \end{align*}

Part B

After a period of 1 year, the planet Earth has already returned to its original position with respect to the Sun. This means that we do not have any displacement. Therefore, the average velocity is zero.

\text{Average velocity}=0\:\text{m/s} \ \qquad \ \color{DarkOrange} \left( \text{Answer} \right)

College Physics Chapter 2 Problems

Problem 1	Problem 2	Problem 3	Problem 4	Problem 5
Problem 6	Problem 7	Problem 8	Problem 9	Problem 10
Problem 11	Problem 12	Problem 13	Problem 14	Problem 15
Problem 16	Problem 17	Problem 18	Problem 19	Problem 20
Problem 21	Problem 22	Problem 23	Problem 24	Problem 25
Problem 26	Problem 27	Problem 28	Problem 29	Problem 30
Problem 31	Problem 32	Problem 33	Problem 34	Problem 35
Problem 36	Problem 37	Problem 38	Problem 39	Problem 40
Problem 41	Problem 42	Problem 43	Problem 44	Problem 45
Problem 46	Problem 47	Problem 48	Problem 49	Problem 50
Problem 51	Problem 52	Problem 53	Problem 54	Problem 55
Problem 56	Problem 57	Problem 58	Problem 59	Problem 60
Problem 61	Problem 62	Problem 63	Problem 64	Problem 65
Problem 66