When calculating the total distance traveled, it is generally more appropriate to use average velocity rather than instantaneous velocity. This is because average velocity takes into account the overall displacement over a given time period, while instantaneous velocity only provides information about the velocity at a specific instant.
The average velocity is calculated by dividing the total displacement by the total time taken. It gives you the average rate of change of displacement over a given time interval. This is useful when you want to know the overall effectiveness, efficiency, or speed of an object in covering a certain distance.
On the other hand, instantaneous velocity refers to the velocity of an object at a specific moment in time. It provides information about the object's speed and direction at an exact point in time. Instantaneous velocity is valuable when studying the motion of objects in detail, analyzing instantaneous changes, or understanding specific moments of interest.
Using average velocity for calculating total distance traveled is appropriate when the velocity is not constant over time, or when you want to analyze the overall motion of an object over a specific time interval. In such cases, instantaneous velocities at different points may vary, making it less suitable for determining the total distance traveled accurately.
In summary, average velocity provides a more comprehensive measure of the overall displacement and is better suited for determining total distance traveled, while instantaneous velocity is more focused on the velocity at specific moments in time and is valuable for detailed analysis of an object's motion.