What's the Difference Between Velocity and Speed?
In physics, velocity and speed are two different things. Speed is a scalar quantity (only has magnitude), while velocity is a vector quantity (has both magnitude and direction). This calculator helps calculate both quantities along with distance and travel time using uniform linear motion (GLB) formulas.
Distance, Velocity, and Time Formula
v = s / tFormula: s = v × t | t = s / vVariables:
- vVelocity/SpeedVelocity/Speed(e.g.: m/s, km/h)
- sDistance/DisplacementDistance/Displacement(e.g.: meter, km)
- tTimeTime(e.g.: seconds, hours)
Categories:
GLBUniform Linear Motion
VectorVelocity (has direction)
ScalarSpeed (magnitude only)
How to Calculate Speed
- 1
Select Mode
Choose what to find: velocity (v), distance (s), or time (t).
- 2
Enter Values
Fill in the two known variables (e.g., distance and time).
- 3
Select Units
Match input units (km, m, hours, minutes, seconds) for accurate results.
- 4
Calculate
Click calculate to view the converted result.
Examples
Calculating Car Speed
Problem:
A car travels 100 km in 2 hours.
Solution:
- 1.s = 100 km
- 2.t = 2 hours
- 3.v = 100 / 2
Result:50 km/h
The car's average speed is 50 km/h.
Calculating Travel Time
Problem:
Distance 300 m at a speed of 5 m/s.
Solution:
- 1.s = 300 m, v = 5 m/s
- 2.t = s / v
- 3.t = 300 / 5
Result:60 s
The time required is 60 seconds (1 minute).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SI unit for speed?
Meters per second (m/s).
How do I convert km/h to m/s?
Divide the km/h value by 3.6. Example: 36 km/h = 10 m/s.
What is the difference between average and instantaneous speed?
Average speed is total distance divided by total time, while instantaneous speed is the speed at a specific moment in time.