What is the difference between speed and velocity.

Question

Speed only measures how fast an object is moving regardless of its direction.

1. Example: We can say a boat is moving with an average speed of 50 miles/hr.

Because speed only cares about the magnitude and not the direction we call it a scalar quantity.

Velocity on the other hand not only considers how fast (magnitude) an object is moving but direction as well.

Example: We say a boat is moving with a velocity of 50 miles/hr due East.

We refer to velocity as a vector quantity since it specifies direction. Other examples of vector quantities are acceleration, Force and displacement (the distance moved in a specified direction).

Can you add more vector quantities?

Answer 1

Speed is only a measurement of the absolute value, or magnitude, of the object, and how fast it is moving. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it does not concern direction in its expression.

Meanwhile, velocity considers both the movement of the object as well as its direction, making it a vector quantity that has both direction and magnitude.

Other examples of vector quantities include acceleration, force, torque, and momentum, all of which have both direction in their answers alongside the magnitude of the object's quality.