Speed
* Definition: Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance.
* Scalar: Speed only tells you how fast something is moving. It doesn't tell you the direction.
* Example: A car traveling at 60 mph. We know how fast it's going, but not where it's headed.
Velocity
* Definition: Velocity is the rate at which an object changes its position. It includes both speed and direction.
* Vector: Velocity is a vector quantity because it has both magnitude (speed) and direction.
* Example: A car traveling at 60 mph eastward. We know both its speed and the direction of its motion.
Key Differences
* Direction: This is the crucial difference. Speed doesn't care about direction, while velocity does.
* Representation: Speed is represented by a single number (e.g., 60 mph). Velocity is represented by both a magnitude and a direction (e.g., 60 mph eastward).
In Summary
Think of it this way:
* Speed: "How fast?"
* Velocity: "How fast *and* in what direction?"
