What is velocity
Velocity is how fast something is moving and which way it is going. It is speed with a direction.
Velocity versus speed
Speed tells you how fast. Velocity tells you how fast and which way.
How we measure velocity
Velocity describes displacement (how far you end up from where you started) per unit of time. In simple words: how far in a certain direction per second.
Short formula in words: velocity = distance moved in a certain direction divided by time.
Examples
- A car goes north 60 meters in 2 seconds. Velocity = 30 meters per second north.
- You walk 3 meters east in 1 second. Velocity = 3 m per second east.
- A kite moves 5 meters west in 2 seconds. Velocity = 2.5 m per second west.
Why velocity helps
It tells not only how fast you are going but also where you are headed, which is useful in sports, driving, and science.
Quick practice
- If you run 4 meters north in 2 seconds, what is your velocity?
- If you ride 10 meters south in 5 seconds, what is your velocity?