Which statement is true about speed and velocity?

Study for The Ultimate Checkpoint Science Test. Engage with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which statement is true about speed and velocity?

Explanation:
Speed tells you how fast something is moving, and it is a scalar—only magnitude, no direction. Velocity, on the other hand, includes both speed and direction, so it is a vector. That’s why the statement that speed is the magnitude of motion and velocity includes direction is the true one. For example, a person moving at 3 m/s to the east has a speed of 3 m/s and a velocity of 3 m/s east. The other ideas fail because velocity is not a scalar, speed does not include direction, and speed and velocity are not identical.

Speed tells you how fast something is moving, and it is a scalar—only magnitude, no direction. Velocity, on the other hand, includes both speed and direction, so it is a vector. That’s why the statement that speed is the magnitude of motion and velocity includes direction is the true one. For example, a person moving at 3 m/s to the east has a speed of 3 m/s and a velocity of 3 m/s east. The other ideas fail because velocity is not a scalar, speed does not include direction, and speed and velocity are not identical.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Passetra

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy