Why velocity is a vector quantity

Jul 5, Speed has only magnitude and Velocity has both magnitude and direction. Explanation: We know, By the definition of scalar quantity, they only have a magnitude and no definite direction. Steve J. Note similarities in characteristics below. Explanation: Scalar: magnitude but no direction. Speed: magnitude but no direction.

I hope this helps, Steve. The physics teacher walks 4 meters East, 2 meters South, 4 meters West, and finally 2 meters North. The entire motion lasted for 24 seconds. Determine the average speed and the average velocity. The physics teacher walked a distance of 12 meters in 24 seconds; thus, her average speed was 0. Remember that the displacement refers to the change in position and the velocity is based upon this position change.

Here is another example similar to what was seen before in the discussion of distance and displacement. The diagram below shows the position of a cross-country skier at various times. At each of the indicated times, the skier turns around and reverses the direction of travel. In other words, the skier moves from A to B to C to D. Use the diagram to determine the average speed and the average velocity of the skier during these three minutes.

When finished, click the button to view the answer. As a last example, consider a football coach pacing back and forth along the sidelines. The diagram below shows several of coach's positions at various times. At each marked position, the coach makes a "U-turn" and moves in the opposite direction. In other words, the coach moves from position A to B to C to D. What is the coach's average speed and average velocity? In conclusion, speed and velocity are kinematic quantities that have distinctly different definitions.

Speed, being a scalar quantity , is the rate at which an object covers distance. The average speed is the distance a scalar quantity per time ratio. Speed is ignorant of direction. On the other hand, velocity is a vector quantity ; it is direction-aware. Velocity is the rate at which the position changes. The average velocity is the displacement or position change a vector quantity per time ratio. Physics Tutorial. My Cart Subscription Selection. Student Extras.

Vector qualities include:. Vector quantities change when:. The difference between scalar and vector quantities is an important one. Speed is a scalar quantity — it is the rate of change in the distance travelled by an object, while velocity is a vector quantity — it is the speed of an object in a particular direction. A geostationary satellite is in orbit above Earth. It moves at constant speed but its velocity is constantly changing since its direction is always changing.