Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.32


Estimate the average speed with which you go from home to campus via whatever mode of transportation you use most commonly. Give your answer in both mph and m/s. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.


Solution:

I typically take 15 minutes in my car to cover a distance of approximately 6 miles from home to campus. My average speed is

\displaystyle \left(\frac{6\:miles}{15\:mins}\right)\left(\frac{60\:mins}{1\:hour}\right)=24\:mph          ☚

\displaystyle \left(24\:mph\right)\left(\frac{0.447\:m/s}{1\:mph}\right)=11\:m/s          ☚