If a vehicle is traveling at 92 mph, what is its velocity in miles per hour? (0.62 miles = 1 km)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer:
If a vehicle is traveling at 92 mph, its velocity is 92 miles per hour.
Explanation
In physics, velocity refers to the speed of an object in a particular direction. It is a vector quantity, meaning it includes both magnitude (how fast something is moving) and direction (where it’s going). On the other hand, speed is a scalar quantity—it only refers to how fast an object is moving, regardless of its direction.
The question gives a value of 92 mph, which stands for 92 miles per hour. This already expresses a rate of motion in terms of distance per unit of time. If the direction of the vehicle’s motion is known or implied (e.g., 92 mph north), then this value is not just speed, but also velocity.
No conversion is necessary unless a different unit of measurement is required, such as converting miles per hour (mph) to kilometers per hour (km/h). The additional information that 1 kilometer equals approximately 0.62 miles can be useful for such a conversion. However, since the question explicitly asks for the velocity in miles per hour, and the vehicle is already traveling at 92 mph, the final answer remains 92 miles per hour.
For clarity, here is how a conversion to kilometers per hour would work, if needed:92 miles/hour×1 km0.62 miles≈148.39 km/h92 \text{ miles/hour} \times \frac{1 \text{ km}}{0.62 \text{ miles}} \approx 148.39 \text{ km/h}92 miles/hour×0.62 miles1 km≈148.39 km/h
But again, because the desired unit is miles per hour, and that is already provided, the value of the vehicle’s velocity remains:92 miles per hour\boxed{92 \text{ miles per hour}}92 miles per hour
This illustrates that sometimes, in word problems, unnecessary conversion data may be included. Carefully identifying the units requested in the final answer helps avoid extra or incorrect steps.
