What is velocity definition?

Velocity is a physical quantity that is used to describe the speed and direction of an object. It is a vector quantity, which means it has both a magnitude (numerical value) and a direction. Velocity is commonly denoted by the symbol "v" and is measured in units of meters per second (m/s) or other units of distance over time.

The velocity of an object is calculated by dividing the displacement (change in position) of the object by the time taken for the displacement to occur. This means that velocity is a ratio of distance traveled to time taken, and can be expressed mathematically as:

v = Δd / Δt

Where v is velocity, Δd is displacement, and Δt is time.

Some key features of velocity include:

  • It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction.
  • The magnitude of velocity is equivalent to speed, but with the added component of direction.
  • Velocity can be positive or negative, depending on the direction of the object's motion relative to a chosen reference point (usually an observer or fixed point).
  • Acceleration is a change in velocity over time, either in terms of magnitude (speed) or direction.