Average speed is total distance traveled divided by time. It is a scalar quantity (just magnitude).
Average velocity is displacement divided by time. It is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).
An average velocity is different from average speed as average velocity is calculated using total displacement and total time into consideration.
Explanation:
The average velocity is calculated using the total displacement and total time, whereas the average speed is calculated using the total distance and total time.
“Average velocity is a vector quantity” and thus takes the magnitude and direction of vector displacement in calculation. Average speed is scalar quantity.
[tex]\text {Average velocity}=\frac{\text {Total displacement}}{\text {Total time}}[/tex]
