velocity

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velocity (symbol v) Rate of motion of a body in a certain direction. Velocity is a vector (magnitude and direction), whereas speed, which does not specify direction, is a scalar. Velocity can also be a measurement of how quickly an object changes its position in a given direction. An object's velocity can be found in the same manner as speed, by dividing the distance s it has travelled by the time t taken, and this is expressed as v=s/t and given in metres per second (ms^-1) or kilometres/miles per hour. Velocity is then stated, for example, as ‘60kph/37mph eastward’. Positive and negative values to represent movement in opposite directions can be shown on both a velocity-time graph and a displacement-time graph (movement from a fixed position).

velocity change in displacement with respect to time. Displacement is the vector counterpart of distance, having both magnitude and direction. Velocity is therefore also a vector quantity. The magnitude of velocity is known as the speed of a body. The average velocity or average speed of a moving body during a time period t may be computed by dividing the total displacement or total distance by t. Computation of the instantaneous velocity at a particular moment, however, usually requires the methods of the calculus.

ve·loc·i·ty / vəˈläsətē/ • n. (pl. -ties) the speed of something in a given direction: the velocities of the emitted particles. ∎  (in general use) speed: the tank shot backward at an incredible velocity. ∎  (also ve·loc·i·ty of cir·cu·la·tion) Econ. the rate at which money changes hands within an economy.

velocity swiftness of motion XVI; rapidity of operation XVII. — (O)F. vélocité or L. vēlōcitās, f. vēlox swift, rapid; see -ITY.

veloce, velocemente (It., superlatives velocis- simo, velocissimamente). With speed, very fast.

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