Whats the difference between speed and velocity?

Although these two words can be used interchangably they are very very different. Its easier to explain if you break down their equatoins.

Speed = distance / time
Velocity = displacement / time

The difference between distance and displacement is difficulat to explain but is best described as the following:

Distance is a scalar property that refers to how much ground an oject has covered during its motion.

whereas 

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to how far our of place an object is, i.e the objects overall change in position.

The differences in these will become more apparent when studying forces and equations of motion so do not worry if you cannot get your head around the definitions at this instant

MG
Answered by Michael G. Physics tutor

9143 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

1. At the end of a marathon sweat covered runners are given a shiny foil sheet to stop them cooling down too quickly. a) Suggest why the runner may cool down too quickly without the foil sheet (1) b.) Explain how the foil sheet reduces heat loss(2)


If a cricket ball of mass 500g is thrown upwards from the ground with an initial velocity of 20 m/s, how high will the ball reach?


A box is at rest on a slope with an angle ϴ. Find an expression for the static friction coefficient, μ, of the box.


Draw diagrams to represent the particles in each state: solid, liquid, and gas.


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