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Velocity; Definition, Formulas, Unit, Examples And FAQs: Velocity tells us how fast an object is moving in a specific direction. This article will give you insights into the understanding of velocity in a simplified way. Keep reading the article to know more.
What is Velocity?
Velocity is the rate of change of an object’s displacement concerning time. Well, velocity is a vector quantity. This means that we both need magnitude and direction to define velocity.
Unit Of Velocity
The SI unit for velocity is metres per second which is ms-1. If there is a change in the magnitude of the velocity, that means it is accelerating.
What Is Initial And Final Velocity?
Initial velocity refers to the velocity in the beginning when the object starts moving.
For example: Imagine a car stopped at a red light and when it turns green, the car starts moving, then the velocity at that exact instant is the initial velocity.
On the other hand, the final velocity is the velocity when the same moving object has reached its final position.
For example: Continuing with the car example, after the car accelerates for some time, it reaches a certain speed. That speed is known as the final velocity.
Important Points to be noted
Acceleration is the rate of change in velocity so the final velocity will be different from the initial velocity.
How To Find The Final Velocity?
There are many ways to find the final velocity. Let’s take a look at some of these methods.
1. If we know about the initial velocity, acceleration and time when it undergoes acceleration, the following formula can be used:
v = u + at
- v represents the final velocity
- u represents the initial velocity
- a represents acceleration
- t represents time
2. In some cases, you can be given the displacement, instead of acceleration. Then, the formulas can be used as:
v = 2(s/t) - u
- v represents the final velocity
- s represents displacement
- t represents time
- u represents the initial velocity
3. If you have displacement and acceleration, then the formula can be used as:
v = (s/t) + (at/2)
- v represents the final velocity
- s represents displacement
- t represents time
- a represents acceleration
What Is Constant Velocity?
Motion with constant velocity is the simplest form of motion. A constant motion can be witnessed whenever an object slides over a horizontal, low-friction surface.
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The above graph is the displacement-time graph. It can be represented as follows:
Difference between speed and velocity
Well, the basic difference between speed and velocity is that speed tells us how fast an object is moving and velocity not only tells the speed but also the direction the object is moving in.
| Feature | Speed | Velocity |
| Type of Quantity | Scalar | Vector |
| Information Provided | Magnitude of how fast something is moving | Magnitude of how fast something is moving in a specific direction |
| Units | m/s, km/h, mph (any unit that represents magnitude) | Same units as speed, but with direction included (e.g., 60 km/h east) |
| Example | Car speedometer reading (e.g., 60 km/h) | Aeroplane moving at 800 km/h westward |
| Changes Over Time | No, remains constant for a specific motion | Yes, can change as the object's direction changes |
| Average vs. Instantaneous | Can be both average and instantaneous | Can be both average and instantaneous, but instantaneous velocity is a concept based on the limit of average velocity approaching zero time interval. |
| When to Use | Everyday situations where direction isn't crucial | Scientific calculations, precise descriptions of motion |
Instantaneous and Average Velocity
- Instantaneous velocity describes the object's speed and direction at the exact instant. It is like taking a snapshot of the object’s motion.
- The average velocity describes the object's overall speed and direction over a specific period.
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