Which statement best defines velocity?

• A. Distance divided by time
• B. Speed divided by time
• C. Acceleration divided by time
• D. Displacement divided by time

Answer: (D)

Velocity is the rate at which your position changes, including direction. It uses displacement—the straight-line vector from where you started to where you end—divided by the time elapsed. Because displacement carries direction, velocity is a vector quantity. This distinguishes it from speed, which uses distance traveled (a scalar) divided by time. Acceleration is the rate at which velocity itself changes over time, not velocity. So, using displacement over time captures both how much position changes and in which direction, making it the correct definition of velocity. For example, moving 10 meters east in 2 seconds gives an average velocity of 5 meters per second east.