Difference between speed and velocity

There are many aspects to which we can differentiate speed and velocity such as definition, scalar or vector quantity, formula, direction, value and example.The difference between speed and velocity are given below:

Speed

1) Definition: The rate at which an object moves, regardless of direction is called speed.

OR

The rate of change of distance is called speed. 

2) Scalar or vector quantity: As speed has only magnitude but there is no direction, so it is a scalar quantity.

3) Formula of Speed: Speed = Distance/Time 

4) Direction: Speed does not depend upon direction.

5) Value of speed: Speed of an object always be positive or zero (if it does not move). The speed of an object is never negative.

6) Example: A car moves 60 kilometers in 1 hour.

Speed = Distance / Time

Speed = 60 km / 1 hr = 60 km/h

Velocity

1) Definition: The rate at which an object changes its position in a specific direction is called velocity.

OR

The rate of change of displacement is called velocity.

2) Scalar or vector quantity: As velocity has both magnitude as well as direction, so it is a vector quantity.

3) Formula of Velocity: Velocity = Displacement/Time 

4) Direction: Velocity depends upon direction.

5) Value of Velocity: Velocity of an object may be positive, negative or zero.

6) Example: A car moves 60 kilometers north in 1 hour.

Velocity = Displacement / Time

Velocity = 60 km north / 1 hr = 60 km/h north

Difference between distance and displacement 

Distance 

1) Definition: The total length of the path travelled by an object, regardless of direction, is called distance.

2) Direction: Distance of a body does not depend on the direction in which it travels.

3) Scalar or vector quantity: As distance has only magnitude but no direction, so it is a scalar quantity.

4) Value of Distance: The value of distance may be positive or zero (if it does not move).

5) Example: Riya walks from her house to the market which is 3 km away. Then she walks to her friend’s house which is another 2 km from the market.

Total distance covered:

From house to market: 3 km

From market to friend’s house: 2 km

➡️ Distance = 3 km + 2 km = 5 km

✅ Explanation: Distance is the total length of the path travelled by an object, regardless of direction. It is a scalar quantity (has magnitude only).Even if Riya turns or changes direction, we add all segments of her journey.

Also read : Preamble of indian constitution...

Displacement 

1) Definition: The shortest path chosen by an object is called displacement.

OR 

The straight-line change in position from the starting point to the ending point is called displacement

2) Direction: Displacement of a body depends on the direction in which it travels.

3) Scalar or vector quantity: As displacement has both magnitude as well as direction, so it is a vector quantity.

4) Value of Displacement: The value of displacement may be positive, negative or zero.

5) Example: Aman walks 4 km east, then 3 km west.

First, he goes 4 km east.

Then he walks 3 km west, so he comes back 3 km towards his starting point.

➡️ Net displacement = 4 km - 3 km = 1 km east

✅ Explanation: Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance between the starting and ending point, along with direction. It is a vector quantity (has both magnitude and direction). So in this case, Aman ends up 1 km east of where he started.

Also read : Jawline Exercises...

Why is distance and speed positive or zero only? 

Answer: Distance and speed are positive or zero only because of how they are defined in physics—they are both scalar quantities, meaning they have magnitude but no direction.

Always Positive or Zero: You can’t “travel a negative length.” Even if you return to where you started, the distance you traveled is still the sum of all the steps, not a “negative” number. Hence distance never be negative. Also, speed depends on distance, so it is also never negative.

Why is displacement and velocity positive, negative or zero?

Answer: Displacement and velocity can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of motion and the chosen frame of reference. Here's a breakdown:

✅ Displacement

Displacement is a vector quantity — it has magnitude and direction. It represents the change in position of an object.

• Positive displacement: The object is considered as the positive if it moves in the chosen direction.
• Negative displacement: The displacement of an object is negative if it moves in the opposite direction. For example an object moves 5 km in the east direction and 8 km in the west, then displacement will be 'minus 3'.
• Zero displacement: when an object returns to its starting point or does not move at all, then it is said to be zero displacement.

✅ Velocity

• Positive velocity: If the object is moving in the particular direction then velocity will be positive.
• Negative velocity: The object is moving in the negative direction. If the direction of movement of an object is opposite to the direction of applying force, then it is considered as negative velocity.
• Zero velocity: The object is not moving at that moment.