Velocity Equation:
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Velocity at a point is the instantaneous rate of change of displacement with respect to time. It describes how fast an object's position is changing at a specific moment in time, including both speed and direction.
The calculator uses the velocity equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation calculates the instantaneous velocity by taking the ratio of displacement change to time change as the time interval approaches zero.
Details: Calculating instantaneous velocity is fundamental in physics for understanding motion dynamics, predicting future positions, and analyzing forces acting on objects.
Tips: Enter displacement change in meters and time change in seconds. Both values must be valid (displacement ≥ 0, time > 0).
Q1: What's the difference between velocity and speed?
A: Velocity includes both magnitude (speed) and direction, while speed is just the magnitude of motion.
Q2: How is instantaneous velocity different from average velocity?
A: Instantaneous velocity is at a specific moment, while average velocity is over a time interval.
Q3: Can velocity be negative?
A: Yes, negative velocity indicates motion in the opposite direction of the reference frame.
Q4: What are typical units for velocity?
A: The SI unit is meters per second (m/s), but km/h or mph are also commonly used.
Q5: How does this relate to acceleration?
A: Acceleration is the derivative of velocity with respect to time (a = dv/dt).