What is Velocity? – Definition, Formula, Examples
Velocity is a very important aspect or quantity in the Physics subject, as it is directly related to various other important topics and chapters. Moreover, velocity is often defined as the vector measurement of the rate of motion of the object and its direction. In other terms, it is stated as the rate of change of an object corresponding to the time and position of the object. Additionally, Velocity helps individuals to calculate how fast an object is moving with respect to time and location.
The Velocity quantity is mathematically defined as,
r=d/t
Where r = rate of change or V (velocity)
D = distance covered by the object
T = time taken to complete the movement
Units of Velocity
The Velocity is measured in meters per second (m/s), and also in the form of distance per time (d/t). In addition to this, the velocity can also be expressed as miles per hour, kilometer per hour, and kilometer per second.
Types of Velocity
Velocity is differentiated into two different types, based on its location and direction. For instance, the velocity which acts when a body starts motion is called initial velocity. While the velocity acting on a body before it comes to rest is referred to as final velocity.
Difference Between Speed and Velocity
Now that we have basic knowledge about the Velocity, SI unit of velocity, and the dimension of velocity. Let us talk about the differences between Speed and Velocity in much more detail. However, first, you should know about speed, which is defined as a quantitative measure of how fast a body is moving, without the inclusion of the direction in it, unlike velocity. Which is it was called a scalar quantity.
| Quantity | Velocity | Speed |
| Formula | Displacement/Time | Distance/Time |
| Type of Quantity | Vector Quantity | Scalar Quantity |
| Absolute Zero | Can be Zero | Cannot be Zero or Negative |
Final Notes
In the above article, we have helped you understand Velocity, its SI Unit, the formula of velocity, and the Unit of Velocity in much more detail. As well as the main differences between Velocity and Speed. And so, if you have issues and problems in understanding other similar topics in the Physics subject. Then it would be a good choice for you to join an online interactive class offered by the Tutoroot Platform. As they come with various other features such as Doubt Clarifying Sessions, Expert Staff Guidance, Best Study Material, and many more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is drift velocity?
Drift Velocity is defined as the average velocity gained by a charged particle located inside a material.
What is Escape Velocity?
An object needs a small amount of velocity to act on it, in order to escape the gravitational force of the earth. This velocity is referred to as Escape Velocity.