In physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of an object's position with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Velocity describes how an object's position changes over time.
There are two main types of velocity:
Average Velocity: The average velocity of an object is the displacement (change in position) divided by the time taken. It is calculated using the formula:
Average Velocity = (Change in position) / (Time taken)
The average velocity gives an overall picture of how an object's position changes over a given time interval.
Instantaneous Velocity: The instantaneous velocity of an object is the velocity of the object at a specific instant in time. It is calculated using calculus by taking the derivative of the object's position function with respect to time. Mathematically, it is expressed as:
Instantaneous Velocity = d(position) / dt
Here, d(position) represents an infinitesimally small change in position, and dt represents an infinitesimally small change in time.
To calculate velocity, you need to know the object's position at different points in time. By measuring the change in position and the corresponding time interval, you can determine the average velocity. If you have a function that describes the object's position as a function of time, you can differentiate it to find the instantaneous velocity at any specific moment.
Velocity is typically measured in units of length per unit time, such as meters per second (m/s) in the International System of Units (SI).