Which of the following statements is true about velocity?a)It is a sca...
Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude (speed) and direction. It describes the rate at which an object's position changes.
View all questions of this test
Which of the following statements is true about velocity?a)It is a sca...
Velocity: A Vector Quantity
Velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction. It is different from speed, which is a scalar quantity that only considers the magnitude of motion. Velocity, on the other hand, takes into account the direction of the motion along with its magnitude.
Explanation
- Vector Quantity: A vector quantity is one that has both magnitude and direction. In the case of velocity, the magnitude represents the speed of an object, while the direction indicates the path it is following.
- Example: For instance, if a car is traveling at 60 km/h towards the north, its velocity would be 60 km/h north. If the same car changes its direction to east while maintaining the speed of 60 km/h, its velocity would change to 60 km/h east.
- Importance: The inclusion of direction in velocity is crucial in describing the complete motion of an object. It helps in understanding how an object is moving in a particular direction rather than just knowing its speed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, velocity is a vector quantity that not only includes the magnitude of motion but also the direction in which the object is moving. This distinction from speed makes it an essential parameter in physics and various other fields where understanding the complete motion of an object is necessary.