The rate of displacement that a particle or an object endures over a period of time is commonly characterised as the velocity of an object. Velocity is defined as a physical vector quantity, which means that it must be defined in terms of both direction and magnitude.

Speed and velocity, on the other hand, should not be confused. There is a significant difference between the two; for example, velocity tells us about the object’s speed and direction of motion, whereas speed tells us how fast the thing is travelling.

Distance

The distance travelled by a body during motion is the length of the actual path traversed by that body in a particular amount of time.

During the motion of an item, distance is a scalar quantity that can never be zero or negative.

The metre (m) is the SI unit of measurement for distance.

Displacement

The displacement is defined as the shortest distance between two positions of the body in a particular direction at a certain interval of time, as determined by the vector traced from the starting position to the final position.

The term “displacement” refers to a quantity that has both a magnitude and a direction. As a result, it might be positive, zero, or negative in a particular time frame.

The metre (m) is the SI unit of measurement for displacement.

SI Unit of Velocity

The formula of velocity can be given as:

Velocity (v)=DisplacementTime=st

Here,

v= Velocity

s= Displacement of the body

t= Time taken

Remember that distance is normally measured in metres, and time is measured in seconds. As a result, velocity is measured in metres per second (m/s).

The metre per second (m/s) is the SI unit of velocity.

The magnitude of the velocity can alternatively be measured in centimetres per second (cm/s).

Types of Velocity

1. Uniform velocity:  A uniform velocity is achieved when an object travels the same distance in the same amount of time. It should be emphasised that the magnitude and direction of displacement in all considered intervals should be the same.
2. Variable velocity:  When an object moves with a variable velocity, it covers the same distance in unequal periods of time, or unequal distance in equal time intervals, or both.
3. Average velocity:  It’s calculated as the ratio of total distance travelled to total time spent. In the event of variable velocity, the average velocity is determined.
4. Instantaneous velocity:  It is the velocity of an object at any moment in time during its motion or at any point along the path it covers. In the case of variable velocity, this is also estimated.

Average velocity

Average velocity is defined as the ratio of total displacement upon total time taken by the object.

Average velocity = total displacementtotal time

The SI unit of average velocity is the same as that of the velocity. Also, its dimensional formula is the same.

SI unit of Average Velocity

The overall displacement of the object divided by the entire time elapsed is the average velocity of the object. It is provided by

 
Average velocity = total displacementtotal time

m/s is the SI unit for average velocity.

Unit of velocity of light

Light is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum that belongs to a specific location. The speed of light is a basic constant, with a value of 3×1010 cm/s . The unit of light velocity is the same as the unit of speed. It can be measured in m/s, km/hr, or other units.

Angular velocity

The angular velocity of an object moving in a circular motion is defined as the velocity of that object. It’s the rate at which the angular displacement changes. Omega () is the symbol for it. A vector quantity is angular velocity. It has the same direction as the angular displacement.

Unit of Angular Velocity 

Angular Velocity is usually represented by the symbol omega (), given by

ω=angle traced time taken=∆θ∆t

A vector quantity is angular displacement. Its direction is identical to that of ∆θ.

Here ∆θ  is the angular displacement, which is defined as the angle formed by a moving item around a circular route.

Radian per second (rad/s )The SI unit of angular velocity.

The term radian refers to a quantity that has no dimensions.

Angular displacement

The angle formed by an object’s path traced in circular motion is known as displacement.

Units of Angular Displacement

The angle formed or traced by the radius vector at the axis of the circular path at a certain time is defined as the angular displacement of an object travelling around a circular path.

angle (θ) = arcradius (r)   

When a stone is connected to a string, its motion creates an angle θ , where is the angle swept by the stone.

Angular displacement is a vector quantity. 

The radian (rad) is the unit of angular displacement.

Some other units of velocity

Some other units of velocity include-

• Kilometres per hour (km/hr)
• Knot (unit)
• Metre per hour (m/hr)
• Miles per hour
• Inch per second
• Speed of light
• Foot per second or ft /s or fps
• Feet per minute or ft/ m or fpm
• Foot per hour
• Kilometres per second (kps)
• Centimetres per hour (cmph)
• Metre per minute
• Millimetre per minute (mmpm)
• Mile per minute
• Millimetre per second (mps)
• Centimetre per minute
• Benz (Bz)

Conclusion

The velocity of any moving item or entity is defined as the ratio of the object’s displacement to the time it takes to move. It’s important to remember that in the case of velocity, displacement is taken into account rather than distance. The term “velocity” refers to a number that has both a magnitude and a direction.

It’s essential to keep in mind that speed and velocity will not be the same in every situation.