Perhaps one of the simplest concepts in physics is the calculation of velocity. Velocity is how fast something is moving and the direction of movement, therefore velocity is a vector quantity. Velocity can be calculated as follows:

V_average = distanced traveled/time taken           OR           V_av = l/t

For example:                                                                               <http://www.iditarodtours.com/slideshow.htm>
Ramy Smyth had the fastest time from Safety to Nome in the 2003 Iditarod (Safety is the last check point before the finish line in Nome). If he left Safety at 14:44 on March 13, and at 17:10 he arrived in Nome, what was his average velocity in km/hour given that the distance between checkpoints is 35.4 km? (Remember time needs to be calculated in hours.)

   l = 35.4 km
   17:10 =17.16 hours
   14:44 =14:73 hours
   t =17.16-14.73=2.43 h                                                                                             
   Now we can solve for V.
   V = 35.4 km/2.43hours = 14.6 km/hr
   Next we'll take a look at the relationship to Force!

<http://www.hundeschlittenreisen.de/Bilder/YukonQuest_2002>