Question

which of the following explains the differnece between speed and velcity

Answer 1

You probably mean “difference.” Key points:

- Definition:
- Speed is a scalar — it tells how fast something is moving (no direction).
- Velocity is a vector — it tells how fast and in what direction.

- Formulas:
- Average speed = total distance traveled / total time.
- Average velocity = displacement / total time (displacement = straight-line change in position).

- Properties:
- Speed is always ≥ 0. Velocity can be positive, negative, or zero depending on direction and chosen sign convention.
- Units are the same (m/s, km/h, etc.).
- Two motions can have the same speed but different velocities (same magnitude, different directions).
- If motion is along a straight line without reversing direction, speed and the magnitude of velocity are equal. If direction changes (e.g., a round trip), average velocity can be zero while average speed is nonzero.

- Example:
- Car goes 60 km/h north → speed = 60 km/h, velocity = 60 km/h north.
- Car goes 60 km/h north then 60 km/h south for equal times → speed = 60 km/h, average velocity = 0 (displacement zero).

Want a few practice problems or a diagram to make it clearer?