How can a car be changing velocity yet not changing speed?

Speed is a scalar, which means the car's speed will be a value that has a magnitude (number) only. Velocity is a vector, which means that the car's velocity will be a value that has both magnitude and direction. In this case, the car is changing its direction of travel but the magnitude of the speed stays the same.

JL
Answered by Jade L. Physics tutor

4887 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

If you have 1.33g of oxygen (Mr = 32) in a container of volume 1000cm^3 at atmospheric pressure (101.3*10^3 Pa), what is the temperature of the gas in Celsius? R=8.314


Why are electron volts used instead of Joules in Quantum Phenomena and how do you convert between the two?


A cart starts at rest and moves freely down a ramp without friction or air resistance and descends 8 meters vertically, what is its speed at the bottom?


A ball is launched upwards at 30 degrees to horizontal with a velocity of 20 metres per second, how far does it travel before landing? (no air resistance)


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