This is a good question. Speed and velocity are not the same thing; however, most people incorrectly use the two terms interchangeably. Speed is a scalar quantity. That means it can be described by a numerical value alone. Speed simply refers to how fast an object is moving. It is a rate of travel.
On the other hand, velocity is a vectorquantity. Vector quantities are quantities that are described by both a magnitude (numerical...
This is a good question. Speed and velocity are not the same thing; however, most people incorrectly use the two terms interchangeably. Speed is a scalar quantity. That means it can be described by a numerical value alone. Speed simply refers to how fast an object is moving. It is a rate of travel.
On the other hand, velocity is a vector quantity. Vector quantities are quantities that are described by both a magnitude (numerical value) and a direction. Some teachers tell students that velocity is "direction aware." That just means you must include the direction of travel.
Here is an example of speed: 65 miles per hour.
Here is an example of velocity: 65 miles per hour, west.
It might seem like a small difference, but knowing the direction of movement is important. For example, if I told you that two trains were on the same track and moving at a speed of 65 miles per hour, you have no idea if they are moving toward each other, away from each other, or in the same direction. If both trains are on the same track and they both have a velocity of 65 miles per hour, south, then there is no cause for concern.
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