What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Velocity is a vector quantity so takes both magnitude and direction into account. Speed is a scalar so only takes magnitude into account. They both have units of meters per second.

SR
Answered by Sebastian R. Physics tutor

2731 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What's the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves?


How much force is needed to bring a car to a halt over 5 seconds - the car is moving with velocity km/hr and with a mass of 1000kg.


Define electric current


Insulating a home costs £2000 and saves £50 a year. What is the payback time?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning