Question

Contrast the average speed and the instantaneous speed of runner in a race.

Answer 1

Average speed of the runner is the rate at which the runner covers the total distance. Average speed of the runner in the race is given by,

Average speed = $\frac{Total distance}{Total time}$

Where

Total distance = Distance covered by the runner from initial to final position

Total time = time taken by the runner to cover entire distance

Instantaneous speed is the speed of the runner at the particular moment in the given time. Instantaneous speed is given by,

Instantaneous speed = $\frac{dx}{dt}$

x = position of the runner at time t

t = time taken to cover distance x

Hence, Average speed and instantaneous speed are different for a runner running in the race.