Ever wondered if speed and velocity are interchangeable? While often used casually as synonyms, they represent distinct concepts in physics. Understanding the difference is crucial for accurately describing motion.
Speed is simply how fast an object is moving. It's a scalar quantity, meaning it only considers magnitude (a numerical value). For example, a car traveling at 60 mph is describing its speed.
Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity. This means it considers both magnitude *and* direction. So, a car traveling at 60 mph *east* is describing its velocity.
The key takeaway? Velocity includes direction, while speed doesn't. If an object changes direction, even if its speed remains constant, its velocity changes. So, next time you're talking about motion, remember: speed is how fast, velocity is how fast *and* where!
