Speed and velocity are both terms used to describe the motion of an object, but they have distinct differences. Let's explore each concept:
Speed: Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to the magnitude of an object's motion. It represents how fast an object is moving without considering its direction. Speed is always positive or zero, as it only measures the magnitude of motion, not the direction. The formula for speed is:
Speed = Distance / Time
Speed is typically measured in units such as meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), or miles per hour (mph).
Velocity: Velocity is a vector quantity that describes the rate at which an object changes its position. It includes both the speed and direction of motion. Velocity is concerned with how fast an object is moving and in which direction it is moving. Velocity can be positive or negative, depending on the direction of motion. The formula for velocity is:
Velocity = Displacement / Time
Velocity is also measured in units such as meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), or miles per hour (mph).
To summarize, the main difference between speed and velocity lies in the inclusion of direction. Speed only considers the magnitude of motion, while velocity takes into account both the magnitude and direction. Therefore, two objects with the same speed can have different velocities if they are moving in different directions.