monk17 Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 Does anybody have a simple explanation for the difference between velocity and speed? I always thought velocity meant the speed and weight combined, now I've learned that's absolutely false. It sounds as if speed is the actual speed of an object, where velocity is the speed between two points. I heard an announcer on TV say that the quarterback changed the velocity of the thrown pass, sounded more like the trajectory to me. The question is more to help me with some science lessons, the quarterback comment was just an add-on. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiana Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1dkin/u1l1d.cfm Brief summary: Velocity indicates how fast it's going AND the direction, whereas speed is just how fast it's going. Saying "my car is going 55 mph" is a measure of speed. Saying "My car is going east at 55mph" is a measure of velocity. I think that your "combination of weight and speed" may be thinking of momentum, which is mass times velocity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
monk17 Posted January 5, 2012 Author Share Posted January 5, 2012 Great explanation and web-link! It will help with our upcoming physics lessons. I think the TV commentator used velocity incorrectly, it seems the QB was changing the trajectory of the pass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Punchie Posted January 5, 2012 Share Posted January 5, 2012 A fun way to learn/review it: Speed and Velocity by They Might Be Giants Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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