What is the difference between speed and velocity??

Answer 1

Speed and velocity are both measurements related to motion, but they have different meanings and characteristics.

Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude. It is the rate at which an object covers distance, irrespective of the direction. Speed is calculated by dividing the distance traveled by the time taken. For example, if a car travels 100 miles in 2 hours, its speed would be 50 miles per hour.

Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. It refers to the rate at which an object changes its position in a specific direction. Velocity is calculated by dividing the displacement (change in position) by the time taken. Displacement takes into account both the distance and the direction traveled. For example, if a car travels 100 miles to the east in 2 hours, its velocity would be 50 miles per hour east.

In summary, speed is a scalar representing how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector representing both the speed and direction of an object's motion.