The rate at which an object's position changes with respect to time, considering both direction and speed, is known as its velocity. It is a vector quantity denoted by v.

Formula of Velocity :

v= Δx / Δt

Where:
v refers to velocity,
Δx denotes the change in position,
Δt refers to the change in time.

An object's velocity tells us how quickly and in which direction it is traveling. It is a fundamental concept in physics that is used to the study of motion in many fields.

Difference between Velocity and Speed:

Speed : The distance traveled in a certain amount of time, without consideration of direction, is referred to as speed. It's a scalar value.

Velocity : It includes both direction and speed. Therefore, if two objects are traveling in separate directions, they can have the same speed but different velocities.

Units of Velocity:

The SI unit for velocity is meters per second (m/s). Other common units include :

  • kilometers per hour (km/h)
  • miles per hour (mi/h)
  • centimeters per second (cm/s)
  • feet per second (feet/s)
  • yards per sec (yd/s)

Positive and Negative Velocity:

Motion in one direction is indicated by a positive velocity, while motion in the other direction is indicated by a negative velocity.

Positive Velocity:
  • Motion in the specified positive axis or direction is indicated by a positive velocity.
  • For example, If vehicle traveling in the positive x-direction, has a positive velocity.
Negative Velocity:
  • Motion in the direction opposite to positive axis is indicated by a negative velocity.
  • For example, If vehicle traveling in the negative y-direction, has a negative velocity.

Different Types of Velocity Calculator:

How Velocity Calculator Works: A Step-by-Step Example

Question :

A car travels from point A to point B, a distance of 150 kilometers, in 3 hours. Determine the velocity of the car during this journey.

Solution :

Given

  • Distance = 150 kilometers
  • Time = 3 hours
Formula :
Velocity = Distance / Time
Velocity = 150 km / 3 hours
Velocity = 50km/hr

The velocity of the car during its journey from point A to point B is 50 km/hr.