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  • Velocity in Physics: Definition, Magnitude & Direction
    In physics, velocity is defined as the rate of change of an object's position with respect to time. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.

    Here's a breakdown:

    * Magnitude: The magnitude of velocity is the speed of the object, which is how fast it is moving. This is measured in units like meters per second (m/s), kilometers per hour (km/h), or miles per hour (mph).

    * Direction: The direction of velocity specifies the direction in which the object is moving. This could be north, south, east, west, or any other direction.

    Formula:

    Velocity (v) can be calculated using the following formula:

    ```

    v = Δx / Δt

    ```

    Where:

    * Δx is the change in position (displacement)

    * Δt is the change in time

    Important Notes:

    * Average Velocity: The average velocity over a given time interval is calculated by dividing the total displacement by the total time.

    * Instantaneous Velocity: The instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a specific point in time. This is often represented by the derivative of the position function with respect to time.

    Example:

    If a car travels 100 meters in 10 seconds, its average velocity is 10 m/s (100 meters / 10 seconds). If we also know the car traveled east, then its average velocity would be 10 m/s east.

    Key Differences from Speed:

    * Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude (how fast).

    * Velocity is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.

    Understanding the difference between speed and velocity is crucial in physics, as it affects calculations and interpretations of motion.

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