How do speed and velocity differ?

The distinction between speed and velocity is fundamentally rooted in how each term defines motion. Speed is a scalar quantity, which means it involves only magnitude; it measures how fast an object is moving irrespective of direction. It can be calculated using the formula for speed, which is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken to travel that distance.

Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, meaning it incorporates both magnitude and direction. Essentially, velocity describes the rate at which an object changes its position. It is determined by not only how fast an object is moving (the speed) but also the direction in which it is moving.

Therefore, saying that speed is distance over time while velocity is speed with direction succinctly captures the critical differences between these two concepts. In this context, the correct answer emphasizes that while speed provides a measure of how quickly something travels, velocity gives a clearer picture by also including the path and direction of that travel. This understanding is crucial for analyzing movements in physics precisely.