Velocity Calculator - Speed and Direction

This physics calculator helps you calculate velocity using distance and time. Velocity is a vector quantity that describes both speed and direction of motion.

Velocity Definition

• Velocity: Rate of change of displacement with respect to time
• Formula: v = d/t (Velocity = distance ÷ time)
• Vector: Has both magnitude (speed) and direction
• Units: Distance per unit time (m/s, km/h, mph)

Velocity vs Speed

• Speed: Scalar quantity (magnitude only)
• Velocity: Vector quantity (magnitude + direction)
• Example: Car speed = 60 km/h, velocity = 60 km/h north
• Average: Total distance ÷ total time
• Instantaneous: Velocity at a specific moment

Velocity Units

• m/s: SI unit of velocity
• km/h: Common metric unit
• mph: Imperial unit (miles per hour)
• ft/s: Imperial unit (feet per second)

Applications

• Transportation: Vehicle speed calculations
• Sports: Athletic performance analysis
• Physics: Motion and kinematics problems
• Engineering: Machine and system design
• Navigation: GPS and route planning

Velocity Categories

• Constant Velocity: Speed and direction remain constant
• Variable Velocity: Speed or direction changes
• Average Velocity: Total displacement ÷ total time
• Instantaneous Velocity: Velocity at a specific instant

Important Notes

• Velocity is a vector (has direction)
• Speed is the magnitude of velocity
• Average velocity considers total displacement
• Velocity can be negative (opposite direction)
• Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity

Velocity Relationships

• Acceleration: a = Δv/Δt (change in velocity over time)
• Momentum: p = mv (mass × velocity)
• Kinetic Energy: KE = ½mv² (½ × mass × velocity²)
• Displacement: s = vt (velocity × time, for constant velocity)