Difference Between Speed and Velocity
The difference between speed and velocity are tabulated below:
Characterization |
Speed |
Velocity |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Speed is the ratio of distance to time. | Velocity is the ratio of displacement to time. |
| Formula | Speed = Distance / Time | Velocity = Displacement / Time |
| Quantity | It is a scalar quantity. | It is a vector quantity. |
| Direction | It does not have direction. | It has direction. |
| Change in | It is a change in distance with respect to time. | It is a change in displacement with respect to time. |
| Magnitude | Its magnitude can be only positive and non-zero. | Its magnitude can be positive, negative, or zero. |
|
Units |
Speed is typically expressed in units such as m/s, km/h, mph |
Velocity share the same units as speed but includes a direction component (e.g. m/s east) |
| Example | A person is riding a bicycle at the speed of 10 km/s. | A person is riding a bicycle with a speed of 10 km/s towards the east. |
Difference Between Speed And Velocity
This article is about the difference between speed and velocity. Speed is the rate of change of distance according to time. It is scalar quantity i.e. speed has magnitude but no direction. Velocity is the rate of change of displacement according to time. It is vector quantity i.e. velocity has both magnitude and direction. Speed is the ratio of distance to time and velocity is the ratio of displacement to time. Speed magnitude is a non-zero positive number while velocity magnitude can be positive, negative, or zero.
Speed & Velocity
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