What does average speed represent?

Average speed is a fundamental concept in physics that quantifies how quickly an object moves over a specified distance during a given period. It is calculated by taking the total distance traveled and dividing it by the total time taken to cover that distance. This measurement provides a broad view of an object's speed over the entire journey, rather than focusing on specific segments or moments.

For example, if a car travels 120 kilometers in 2 hours, the average speed would be calculated as 120 km / 2 h = 60 km/h. This calculation shows the overall movement instead of considering variations in speed over the course of the journey.

The other options relate to different concepts:

• The fastest speed achieved during a time segment refers to instantaneous speed rather than average speed.

• Distance covered in one hour might indicate speed but does not provide a complete picture across varying times or distances.

• The maximum velocity speaks to peak speed, which does not account for fluctuations and different conditions during the entire trip.

Focusing on total distance divided by total time accurately encapsulates the definition of average speed and is vital for understanding various applications in physics and real-world scenarios.