Certify Teacher Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

The chosen statement accurately captures the essential distinction between speed and velocity. Speed is defined as a scalar quantity that measures how fast an object is moving, regardless of its direction. It is concerned solely with the magnitude of motion, typically expressed in units such as meters per second or miles per hour.

Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, which means it includes both the magnitude of speed and the specific direction of the object's movement. For example, saying a boat is traveling at 20 miles per hour to the north provides a complete description of its velocity because it incorporates both speed and direction.

Understanding this distinction is crucial in physics and related fields, as it affects how we analyze motion, calculate trajectories, and predict future positions of moving objects. The clarity in definition helps to prevent misconceptions that could arise from mixing the concepts of speed and velocity, reinforcing why the statement is effective in conveying the difference.