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Home Minds On 1D Kinematics Mission KC3 Speed and Velocity Help Help 1

Mission KC3 Speed and Velocity

The Question

In terms of their definitions, an essential difference between velocity and speed is that ____.

Define Help

Definition of Speed:
The speed of a moving object refers to how fast the object is moving. It is the distance traveled per unit of time.


Definition of Velocity:
The velocity of a moving object is the rate at which the object changes its position.

Think About It

Average speed is a quantity that is based upon a measurement of distance and time. Distance is a scalar quantity. Being based upon distance, speed is a scalar quantity as well.

Average velocity is a quantity that is based upon a measurement of displacement (change in position) and time. Displacement is a vector quantity. Being based upon displacement, velocity is a vector quantity as well.

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