How it works
Calculate average velocity based on displacement and time.
Input query strings and outputs
Use an input name in this page’s URL as ?name=value, and join additional inputs with &. Portable shared links may instead use the compact ?ac= state parameter.
Input query strings
3-
?startPos=Initial Position (m)Number · Optional · Default: 0
-
?endPos=Final Position (m)Number · Optional · Default: 100
-
?time=Time Interval (s)Number · Optional · Default: 10
Outputs
1-
resultResultText · Primary output
result contains the calculator’s complete rendered result area, including its visible result cards, tables, charts, and messages.
Calculate average velocity based on change in position and time
Description
The Velocity Calculator is a fundamental science tool for students and researchers. In physics, Velocity is different from “Speed.” While speed only tells you how fast an object is moving, velocity measures the rate of change in an object’s position (displacement) over a specific timeframe. This tool helps you calculate the average rate of travel by entering the Initial Position, Final Position, and the Time Taken.
Inputs
- Initial Position (m): The starting point of the object (often 0).
- Final Position (m): The coordinate where the object stopped.
- Time Taken (s): The total duration of the movement in seconds.
Outputs
- Average Velocity: The rate of displacement in meters per second (m/s).
Chart
- N/A: This tool provides precision numeric physics results.
“Good to Know”
- The Formula: $v = \frac{x_2 - x_1}{t}$, where $x_2$ is the final position, $x_1$ is the start, and $t$ is time.
- Positive vs. Negative: Unlike speed, velocity can be negative! A negative result indicates the object moved “backward” toward the starting reference point.
- Displacement: If an object runs 100m forward and 100m back to where it started, its speed was high, but its velocity was exactly 0 because its final position didn’t change!
Examples
Example 1: 100m Sprint
- Input: Start: 0m, End: 100m, Time: 10s
- Output: 10.00 m/s
Example 2: Slow Crawl
- Input: Start: 5m, End: 25m, Time: 60s
- Output: 0.33 m/s
Example 3: Backward Motion
- Input: Start: 10m, End: 0m, Time: 5s
- Output: -2.00 m/s