How do you differentiate between speed and velocity in motion?

Speed is a scalar quantity indicating how fast an object is moving, while velocity is a vector quantity indicating speed and direction.

Speed, in physics, refers to the rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and no direction. It is usually measured in metres per second (m/s) or kilometres per hour (km/h). For example, if a car travels 60 kilometres in one hour, its speed is 60 km/h. Speed does not take into account the direction of travel, it is only concerned with how fast the object is moving.

On the other hand, velocity is a vector quantity. This means it has both magnitude (speed) and direction. It is also measured in metres per second or kilometres per hour, but with the addition of the direction of motion. For instance, if the same car is moving at 60 km/h to the north, its velocity is 60 km/h north. Velocity is therefore more specific than speed as it gives a more complete description of an object's motion.

Another key difference between speed and velocity is how they react to changes in direction. If an object changes direction but maintains a constant speed, its velocity will change because velocity is dependent on direction. However, its speed will remain the same because speed is not affected by changes in direction.

In summary, while both speed and velocity refer to how fast an object is moving, velocity also includes the direction of the object's motion. This makes velocity a more comprehensive measure of motion than speed. Understanding the difference between these two concepts is crucial in physics, as it allows us to accurately describe and analyse the motion of objects.