Velocity - Definition, Example, Types, FAQs
What is meant by velocity or what is the meaning of velocity?
In our daily life we all use the term speed. It is a measure of how fast a particular object or person is moves in relation to time. Most of the time we also compare the speed of two objects moving in the same direction such as two horses racing in a race. But what happens when they run in the two opposite directions? How can we calculate the speed of the two horses in this situation? Well, in that case the term ‘VELOCITY’ comes in the picture. Let’s see what is velocity and how we can measure velocity of an object in the below article.
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- What is meant by velocity or what is the meaning of velocity?
- What is velocity in physics?
- Velocity example
- Types of velocity
- Difference between speed and velocity
Candidates can have a look at the JEE Main 2025 physics syllabus below.
JEE Main 2025 physics topics | Number of questions | Marks |
Modern Physics | 5 | 20 |
Heat and Thermodynamics | 3 | 12 |
Optics | 3 | 12 |
Current Electricity | 3 | 12 |
Electrostatics | 3 | 12 |
Magnetics | 2 | 8 |
Unit, Dimension and Vector | 1 | 4 |
Kinematics | 1 | 4 |
Laws of Motion | 1 | 4 |
Work, Power and Energy | 1 | 4 |
Centre of Mass, Impulse, and Momentum | 1 | 4 |
Rotation | 1 | 4 |
Gravitation | 1 | 4 |
Simple Harmonic Motion | 1 | 4 |
Solids and Fluids | 1 | 4 |
Waves | 1 | 4 |
Electromagnetics Induction; AC | 1 | 4 |
What is velocity in physics?
Velocity definition physics is the measure of an object’s speed as well as its direction of motion. It is a vector quantity as it has magnitude and direction both. To calculate the velocity of any object, we must consider both magnitude and direction.
Also read -
- NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Physics
- NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Physics
- NCERT Solutions for All Subjects
Velocity example
If a car travels toward north at a speed of 10 meter per second (m/s), then the velocity of the car will be 10 m/s to the north.
Velocity definition
Velocity meaning is the rate of change in position of an object with respect to time towards a particular direction. When either the magnitude of the velocity or the direction in which the object is moves or both changes, then the object is said to be accelerating.
Velocity formula physics
Velocity is calculated by the formula
v=∆x/∆t
where, v ? Velocity
∆x ? Displacement
∆t ? Change in time
Si unit of velocity
The SI unit of Velocity is METER/SECOND (m/s)
Velocity is also expressed in Miles per hour (mph), Kilometer per second (km/s) and Kilometer per hour (kph)
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Types of velocity
Initial and final velocity formula
Initial velocity: The velocity with which an object begins its motion from the starting point is known as initial velocity of that object. As an illustration: Rohan leaves his house at a velocity of 5 m/s towards north. So, his initial velocity is 5 m/s northward.
Final Velocity: The velocity with which, the object reached its final position is known as final velocity of that object. Continuing with the preceding example, Rohan arrives at his friend’s house, his final destination, with a velocity of 7 m/s northward. So, his final velocity is 7 m/s northward.
Average velocity
When an object is moving in a straight line at a non-uniform speed, it can be expressed in the terms of average velocity. Average velocity is given by the arithmetic mean of initial and final velocity for a given period of time.
Average Velocity=Initial velocity+ Final velocity2
Mathematically, vav = u+ v2
Read:
- NCERT solutions for Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion in a straight line
- NCERT Exemplar Class 11 Physics Solutions Chapter 3 Motion in a straight line
- NCERT notes Class 11 Physics Chapter 3 Motion in a straight line
Constant velocity
When an object moves in a straight line at a constant speed and direction, it is said to have a constant velocity. For example: consider a car travelling at a constant speed in one direction. The velocity-time graph of an object moving with a constant velocity is a straight line as the speed and direction does not change with time.
Variable velocity
When an object’s velocity changes either in magnitude, direction or both, the object is said to be in variable velocity. A car moving down a crowded street, for example, will have varying velocity and direction.
Speed and velocity
Speed and velocity are those two terms which always makes us confused and remembering their concept and definition becomes a difficult task, although both of them are quite different terms. The main difference between speed and velocity is that speed is a measure of distance travelled by an object with respect to time whereas velocity is the measure of displacement travelled by an object with respect to time towards a particular direction. The easiest way to remember the difference between these two terms is that speed does not give us the direction in which the object is moving whereas velocity tells in which direction the object is moving. Average velocity which is total displacement upon total time, can never be greater than average speed because displacement is the shortest distance travel by an object which will always be smaller than the actual distance traveled by it.
Difference between speed and velocity
Speed | Velocity |
Speed is a measure of how far an object travel in relation to time. | Velocity is a measure of how far an object travel with respect to time in one of direction. |
It is scalar quantity. | It is a vector quantity. |
Because speed is a scalar quantity, it can never be negative. | Velocity can be negative, and even zero. |
It is also known as the rate at which distance changes. | It is also known as the rate at which displacement changes. |
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Also check-
- NCERT Exemplar Class 11th Physics Solutions
- NCERT Exemplar Class 12th Physics Solutions
- NCERT Exemplar Solutions for All Subjects
NCERT Physics Notes:
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Questions related to
When an object is moving in a circular path, the velocity at the topmost point of the path can be analyzed in the context of uniform circular motion. Here's a breakdown:
1. **Definition of Velocity in Circular Motion**: Velocity in circular motion is always tangential to the path. This means the speed is constant if the motion is uniform, but the direction of velocity changes continuously.
2. **Topmost Point in Circular Motion**: At the topmost point of a vertical circular path, gravity acts downward while the centripetal force needed to keep the object in circular motion also acts downward. The net force acting on the object provides the centripetal force required for circular motion.
3. **Expression for Velocity**: The centripetal force \(F_c\) required to keep the object moving in a circle of radius \(r\) with velocity \(v\) is given by:
\[
F_c = \frac{mv^2}{r}
\]
At the topmost point, the gravitational force \(mg\) helps provide the centripetal force, so:
\[
mg + N = \frac{mv^2}{r}
\]
where \(N\) is the normal force at the topmost point. For an object just moving in the circle (minimal normal force), \(N\) can be approximated as zero:
\[
mg = \frac{mv^2}{r}
\]
Solving for \(v\):
\[
v = \sqrt{gr}
\]
In summary, at the topmost point of a vertical circular path, the velocity \(v\) can be found using \(v = \sqrt{gr}\), where \(g\) is the acceleration due to gravity and \(r\) is the radius of the circle.
Hello,
The slope of the tangent drawn on a velocity-time graph at a particular instant of time is equal to the instantaneous acceleration at that time. This is because the slope of the tangent line represents the rate of change of velocity with respect to time, which is the definition of acceleration.
Hope this helps,
Thank you
Correct Answer: a news item
Solution : The correct choice is the second option.
The language used is factual and objective, providing information about a recent event (the successful launch of three small satellites by ISRO) without expressing opinions or providing analysis. The use of quotes from ISRO officials and specific details about the launch supports the news-like structure of the passage.
Correct Answer: EOS-07
Solution : The correct choice is the first option.
In the passage, the sequence of events is mentioned regarding the satellite ejection. It states, "About 13 minutes into its flight, the SSLV rocket ejected EOS-07, and soon after that, the other two satellites, Janus-1 and AzaadiSAT-2, were ejected." This indicates that EOS-07 was injected into orbit first.
Correct Answer: no work is done on it
Solution : The correct option is: that no work is done on it.
No work is done on a body while it rotates in a circle at a constant speed. This is because the body's motion is perpendicular to the direction of the centripetal force that is pulling on it. The force that keeps the body moving in a circular motion and is always pointed in the direction of the circle's centre is known as the centripetal force.