Which of the following units measures a rate of motion over distance?

Which of the following units measures a rate of motion over distance?

• A. Acceleration
• B. Velocity
• C. Displacement
• D. Force

Answer: (B)

Velocity is the correct choice because it specifically measures the rate of motion over a distance and includes both the speed of an object and its direction of travel. In physics, velocity is defined as the change in position (displacement) divided by the time taken for that change. It is expressed in units such as meters per second (m/s), which directly conveys how far an object travels over a specific period. In contrast, acceleration measures how quickly an object's velocity changes over time, not simply the motion over distance. Displacement refers to the overall change in position from one point to another and does not take time into account. Force is a measure of the push or pull on an object and is expressed in newtons (N), which is unrelated to describing motion over a distance in terms of rates. Thus, velocity is uniquely positioned to provide a clear understanding of movement concerning both distance and time.

Velocity is the correct choice because it specifically measures the rate of motion over a distance and includes both the speed of an object and its direction of travel. In physics, velocity is defined as the change in position (displacement) divided by the time taken for that change. It is expressed in units such as meters per second (m/s), which directly conveys how far an object travels over a specific period.

In contrast, acceleration measures how quickly an object's velocity changes over time, not simply the motion over distance. Displacement refers to the overall change in position from one point to another and does not take time into account. Force is a measure of the push or pull on an object and is expressed in newtons (N), which is unrelated to describing motion over a distance in terms of rates. Thus, velocity is uniquely positioned to provide a clear understanding of movement concerning both distance and time.