Which one of the following statements about speed and velocity is correct?

Concept:

• A vector quantity is something that has direction along with a magnitude. The vector quantities follow the laws of vector addition.
  • Example - Displacement, Velocity, Force, etc.
• Scalar quantities are quantities that are described only by magnitude. They do not have a direction of action.
  • Example - Distance, Speed, etc.

Explanation:

The speed of a body is the distance traveled by it per unit of time.

• \(Speed = \frac{Distance\space travelled}{Time\space taken}\)
• Speed has only magnitude, it has no specific direction.
• So, it is a scalar quantity.

The velocity of a body is the displacement produced per unit of time.

• \(Velocity = \frac{Displacement}{Time\space taken}\)
• Velocity has both magnitude and direction.
• So, it is Vector quantity.
• In another word, Speed with direction is called velocity.

Additional Information Some examples of vector and scalar quantity.

Important Points

• The expression '25 km/hr' is the speed and '25 km/hr in the North direction' is velocity.