The main difference between speed and velocity involves b) direction.
Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to how fast an object is moving, without any consideration of its direction. It measures the distance traveled in a given amount of time, expressed in units such as meters per second or miles per hour. For instance, if a car is traveling at 60 miles per hour, we are only acknowledging the rate of movement, not where it’s heading.
On the other hand, velocity is a vector quantity that includes both speed and direction. This means that in addition to how fast something is moving, velocity tells us the direction in which it is moving. For example, if the same car is traveling north at 60 miles per hour, we can say its velocity is 60 miles per hour north.
Understanding this distinction is crucial in physics, as certain calculations and concepts depend on knowing both the speed and the direction of an object’s motion. So, while speed gives us a quick sense of how fast something is going, velocity provides a more complete picture of its motion.