Velocity Formula

Everybody knows about velocity but there is a misconception about it. The misconception is that speed and velocity are the same things but in reality, it is just the opposite. Besides, most of the people consider them the same and use them interchangeably. Moreover, they are quite similar but they are not same. Besides, in this topic, we will talk about formula for velocity.

Velocity

It refers to the rate of change in displacement with respect to time. Furthermore, distance and displacement are the key points of the velocity. Also, if there is no displacement in objects potion and the object do not cover any distance then there will be no velocity.

Hence, what is the difference between displacement and distance? Displacement refers to the net change in the position of an object in motion. On the other hand, distance refers to the amount of ground covered by an object in motion.

Moreover, distance is a scalar quantity because it can be described with the help of only the magnitude and it has no reference with direction. Whereas, displacement is a vector quantity because it is fully described with both direction and magnitude. In addition, velocity is the function of displacement and is also a vector quantity.

Velocity Formula

Now let’s look at the formula of velocity. As discussed earlier, velocity is a change in objects displacement over time. In simple words, velocity is a measure of how much time an object takes to reach a destination with direction. Moreover, it is directly related to displacement and inversely relates to the time traveled. Also, its unit is meter per second (m/s).

Velocity formula = displacement ÷ time

Displacement = final position – initial position or change in position

Time = taken to cover the distance.

Now let’s take some values to understand the formula clearly. Suppose Mr. X initial position is a_i and his final position is a_f and he has taken t time to cover this distance then the equation will be.

v = a_f – a_i / t = a / t

Here

v = velocity which is m/s (meter per second)

a_f = final position of X

a_i = initial position of X

t = time taken by the object to move along the distance (s)

a =change in position (final – initial) (m)

Solved Example on Velocity Formula 

Now let’s test the equation with the help of examples.

Example 1- Suppose there is an object traveled a distance of 10 meters in the left direction and the time taken by the object is 2 minutes. Find the velocity of the object.

Solution

Now recall the formula which is velocity = displacement ÷ time

v = a / t

Now put the values in the formula. But first of all change minutes into time by multiplying minutes by 60.

Time in seconds = time in minutes × number of seconds in a minute

t_s = 2 × 60 = 120 s

So, time in seconds is 120 s

v = 10 / 120

v = 0.08 m/s

The velocity of the object is 0.08 m/s.

Example 2- Now let’s discuss another problem where we know the value of velocity and time and we have to calculate displacement. The value of velocity and time is 1.5 m/s and time taken is 100 seconds. Find the value of displacement.

Solution

Now recall the formula which is velocity = displacement ÷ time

v = a / t

Now put the value in the formula

v = a or a / t

1.5 = a ÷ 100

1.5 × 100 = a or

a = 1.5 × 100 = 150 m

The displacement is 150 m.