Considering the definition of speed, the average speed is 431.94 m/s.
<h3>Definition of speed</h3>
Speed is a physical quantity that expresses the relationship between the space traveled by an object and the time used for it.
In other words, the speed is associated with the change of position of an object in space within a certain amount of time.
The speed can be calculated using the expression:
speed= distance traveled÷ time
<h3>Average speed in this case</h3>
In this case, you know that:
- A reconnaissance plane flies 578 km away (equal to 578,000 m, being 1 km= 1000 m) from its base at 360 m/s.
- The reconnaissance flies back to its base at 540 m/s.
Replacing in the definition of speed you can calculate the time it takes to fly away and back:
- <u><em>Flies away: </em></u>360 m/s= 578,000 m÷ time
- <u><em>Flies back:</em></u> 540m/s= 578,000 m÷ time
Solving:
- <u><em>Flies away: </em></u>360 m/s× time= 578,000 m → time= 578,000 m÷ 360 m/s → time= 1,605.55 seconds
- <u><em>Flies back: </em></u>540m/s= 578,000 m÷ time → time= 578,000 m÷ 540 m/s → time= 1,070.77 seconds
Then, the total distance traveled and the total time will be the sum of each of the sections traveled:
- Total distance traveled= distance to fly away + distance to fly back= 578,000 m + 578,000 m= 1,156,000 m
- Total time= time to fly away + time to fly back= 1,605.55 seconds + 1,070.77 seconds= 2,676.32 seconds
Replacing in the definition of speed:
speed= 1,156,000 m÷ 2,676.32 s
Solving:
speed= 431.94 m/s
Finally, the average speed is 431.94 m/s.
Learn more about speed:
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