What is the difference between Speed, Velocity and Acceleration?

Speed and Velocity are both measures of distance travelled in a given time and are therefore calculated using Speed=Distance/Time.Speed is a scalar quantity which means that it is quantified by a magnitude only. Velocity is a vector quantity whcih means that it is quantified by a magnitude and a direction (it can also be considered to be speed in a given direction).Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, which means that it is the measure of change in velocity over a given time. Since it is a change in velocity rather than a change in speed, the change described could be a change in magnitude, a change in direction, or a change in both of these values. Acceleration is also a vector quantity.

Answered by Physics tutor

7114 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

A car horn has a frequency of 680 Hz and a wavelength of 50cm. Calculate the speed of the sound waves produced by the car horn:


Describe how the velocity and forces acting on a skydiver change during their fall (6 marks)


Describe how a crumple zone on a car reduces injury to the driver in a crash.


In the early 20th Century the plum pudding model of the atom was replaced by the nuclear model of the atom, explain why this happened.


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