Is speed scalar or vector?

Understand the Problem

The question is asking about the nature of speed in terms of physics, specifically whether it is a scalar quantity (having only magnitude) or a vector quantity (having both magnitude and direction).

More Information

Speed is a scalar quantity because it only has magnitude and no direction. In contrast, velocity is a vector quantity, as it possesses both magnitude and direction.

Tips

A common mistake is to confuse speed with velocity. Remember that speed is only the magnitude of how fast an object is moving, while velocity includes both the speed and the direction of the object's movement.

Sources

• Speed and Velocity - Physics Classroom - physicsclassroom.com
• Scalar and Vector Quantities - Khan Academy - khanacademy.org