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Velocity - GCSE Physics Definition

Reviewed by: Katie M

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What is velocity?

In GCSE physics, velocity is a measure of an object's speed in a given direction.

Speed is a measure of how fast an object is moving, but does not have a specified direction. It can be calculated using the equation:

speed space equals space distance over time

Speed and velocity are both measured in metres per second (m/s). Therefore, if the direction of motion is known, the same equation can be used to calculate velocity.

The key difference between speed and velocity is:

  • speed is a scalar quantity because it has magnitude only

  • velocity is a vector quantity because it has a magnitude and a direction

This difference is important because it means an object may have different values of speed and velocity, for example:

  • a person walking directly south at a speed of 2 m/s has a velocity of zero to the east

  • an object travelling with a constant speed but changing direction has a changing velocity

Two cars moving at the same speed of 20 m/s, but different velocities. The car on the left has a velocity of 20 m/s eastward. The car on the right has a velocity of 20 m/s westward.
Two cars travelling in opposite directions at 20 m/s have the same speed, but different velocities.

Velocity revision resources to ace your exams

You can accelerate your understanding of velocity by checking out our GCSE physics resources, including expert-written revision notes and exam questions. These are tailored to your specific exam board, whether you are taking AQA, Edexcel, OCR or WJEC.

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Katie M

Reviewer: Katie M

Expertise: Physics Content Creator

Katie has always been passionate about the sciences, and completed a degree in Astrophysics at Sheffield University. She decided that she wanted to inspire other young people, so moved to Bristol to complete a PGCE in Secondary Science. She particularly loves creating fun and absorbing materials to help students achieve their exam potential.

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