Lesson 6 Velocity vs. Speed
Completion requirements
Velocity vs. Speed
C6.27 Light trails on road
You learned at the start of this section that quantities in physics can be classified as either scalar or vector quantities. In this lesson, you explored the differences of these types of quantities through looking at the speed of an object compared to the velocity of an object.
You also learned how speed and velocity can be calculated, both through direct information provided about an object’s motion and by calculating the slope of a position-time graph. Lastly, you learned how to find the area under a velocity-time graph, which represents the displacement of the object.
In the next lesson of this section, you will use the graphing skills you have learned, and will look at motion of objects that are not travelling uniformly.
You also learned how speed and velocity can be calculated, both through direct information provided about an object’s motion and by calculating the slope of a position-time graph. Lastly, you learned how to find the area under a velocity-time graph, which represents the displacement of the object.
In the next lesson of this section, you will use the graphing skills you have learned, and will look at motion of objects that are not travelling uniformly.
Watch This
Physics – What Is Velocity? © YouTube Don’t Memorise
Watch this video for a great review of the difference between speed and velocity. It provides examples to reinforce this concept, as well as the difference between scalar and vector quantities as they relate to speed and velocity.