What is velocity defined as?

Prepare for the Basic Engineering Common Core Test 2. Master key concepts with detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each with helpful hints and explanations. Get set for your engineering exam!

Velocity is defined as speed in a certain direction, making it a vector quantity. This means that it not only describes how fast an object is moving but also in what direction it is moving. For example, if a car is traveling north at 60 kilometers per hour, its velocity can be expressed as 60 km/h north. This directional component is essential in distinguishing velocity from speed, which is a scalar quantity that only measures how fast something is moving, without reference to direction.

Understanding velocity is crucial in many areas of physics and engineering, as it influences how we analyze and predict the motion of objects. The other options do not capture this essential directional aspect of velocity. While the first choice discusses distance covered over time, it pertains to speed rather than velocity. The third choice refers to acceleration, which is how velocity changes over time, rather than defining velocity itself. The last option, addressing the weight of an object, is completely unrelated to the concept of velocity.

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