Have you heard the term velocity? Many people often use the terms speed and velocity interchangeably, but speed and velocity are different.

Look at the statements below. What is the difference in the statements on the cards below?

Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.

One of the statements describes the speed of the airplane, and the other one describes the velocity. Click on the cards to see which statement is describing speed and which one is describing velocity.

When you know both the speed and direction of an object's motion, you know the velocity of the object.

Let's practice distinguishing the differences between speed and velocity.

Directions:

  1. Read each statement.
  2. Determine if it is describing speed or velocity.
  3. Click on the correct image below.
Interactive exercise. Assistance may be required.

Sources of images used for this section as they appear, top to bottom: