What is the difference between velocity and speed?

Both the speed and the velocity show us how fast something is moving (the rate at which it changes its position). However, velocity is a vector quantity, which means it also gives us information about the direction of movement while the speed is a scalar and it is the modulus of the velocity.

BS
Answered by Bozhidara S. Physics tutor

2928 Views

See similar Physics GCSE tutors

Related Physics GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the motion of a moving object with a given Displacement-Time graph. For each section on the graph, indicate the direction of motion and identify if the object is accelerating or not. What would the object's Velocity-Time graph look like?


Describe how the forces change on a parachutist while they fall.


How does conduction work in metals?


Sound waves are longitudinal. Describe a longitudinal sound wave.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning