What is the Difference between Speed, Velocity and Acceleration
In the very basics of physics, students are taught about speed and its changes. Now when a car moves straight it is called its speed, while when it changes direction it is called velocity and when moving in circles it makes it acceleration. So, same object can acquire three different conditions depending upon its movement. These three should not be used interchangeably as they are different and refer to different kind of motion.
Speed
Speed is the rate of motion or the change in the distance. It is a measure of change in the distance, covered by a moving object in a particular time. Its dimensions are distance and time i.e. it is measured in terms of distance covered and time elapsed. It is called a scalar quantity.
Velocity
Velocity is the rate of change of speed. It is the quantity that measures when the object changes its direction along with its movement. It is a vector quantity. The dimensions of velocity are direction and time along with distance.
Acceleration
Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. It is the quantity that measure how much velocity has been changed with the passage of time. The circular motion is measured in acceleration. It is also a vector quantity because it involves sharp change in direction in every second. The acceleration requires a force to move it.
Speed vs Velocity vs Acceleration
The speed is a scalar quantity i.e. does not involve direction while velocity and acceleration involve direction during motion so they are vector quantities. The dimensions of the speed are time and distance while velocity and acceleration involve distance, direction and time. The speed, velocity and acceleration need a force to make them occur but in the later two, the force is needed also to change the direction.
Related posts
- What is the Difference between Endocytosis Exocytosis Phagocytosis Pinocytosis
- What is the Difference between Electronegativity Electron Affinity Ionization Energy
- What is the Difference between Aquaphor, Vaseline and Petroleum Jelly
- What is the Difference between Petroleum Coolant Glidant Grease and Lubricant
- What is the Difference between Pollination and Fertilization
- What is the Difference between Filament, Fabric, Wool, Fibre, Yarn and Thread
- What is the Difference between Latex Enamel Lacquer Acrylic and Gel Nails
- What is the Difference between Hydrology, Hydraulics and Pneumatics
- What is the Difference between Evaporative Cooler Air Conditioner Dehumidifier
- What is the Difference between Voltage and Current