About speed & velocity
Speed and velocity are not the same. While they are related, there is a key difference between the two:
- Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to “how fast an object is moving.” It is the rate at which an object covers distance, without considering the direction of motion. It is expressed in units of distance per time, such as meters per second (m/s) or kilometres per hour (km/h).
- Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to “the rate at which an object changes its position.” It includes both the speed of the object and its direction of motion. It is also expressed in units of distance per time, such as meters per second (m/s) or kilometres per hour (km/h), but with a specified direction.