What is the key difference between average speed and average velocity?

The distinction between average speed and average velocity lies primarily in their mathematical definitions and physical interpretations. Average speed is a scalar quantity, which means it only has magnitude and does not take direction into account. It is defined as the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken. On the other hand, average velocity is a vector quantity that includes both magnitude and direction. It is calculated by taking the displacement (the shortest distance in a straight line from the starting point to the ending point, in a specific direction) and dividing it by the time taken.

This key difference in classification – scalar versus vector – signifies that average speed provides information only about how fast an object is moving regardless of its direction, whereas average velocity gives information not only about the rate of motion but also about the direction of that motion. Understanding this distinction is crucial for analyzing motion in physics, as it allows for more comprehensive modeling of how objects move in different contexts.