Speed vs. Acceleration — What's the Difference?

Speed is the distance traveled per time unit.

Acceleration indicates a change in speed.

Speed represents how fast something moves.

Acceleration measures how quickly speed changes.

Speed can remain constant or vary.

Acceleration can result from a change in speed or direction.

In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as v) of an object is the magnitude of the rate of change of its position with time or the magnitude of the change of its position per unit of time; it is thus a scalar quantity. The average speed of an object in an interval of time is the distance travelled by the object divided by the duration of the interval; the instantaneous speed is the limit of the average speed as the duration of the time interval approaches zero.

Acceleration has both magnitude and direction.

The rate at which someone or something moves or operates or is able to move or operate

In mechanics, acceleration is the rate of change of the velocity of an object with respect to time. Accelerations are vector quantities (in that they have magnitude and direction).

Each of the possible gear ratios of a bicycle.

The act of accelerating.

The light-gathering power or f-number of a camera lens.

The process of being accelerated.

An amphetamine drug, especially methamphetamine.

Abbr. a(Physics) The rate of change of velocity with respect to time.

Success; prosperity

(uncountable) The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as opposed to retardation or deceleration.

Move quickly

(countable) The amount by which a speed or velocity increases (and so a scalar quantity or a vector quantity).

Make prosperous or successful

(physics) The change of velocity with respect to time (can include deceleration or changing direction).

Take or be under the influence of an amphetamine drug

The advancement of students at a rate that places them ahead of where they would be in the regular school curriculum.

Distance traveled divided by the time of travel.

The act of accelerating, or the state of being accelerated; increase of motion or action; as, a falling body moves toward the earth with an acceleration of velocity; - opposed to retardation.

The limit of this quotient as the time of travel becomes vanishingly small; the first derivative of distance with respect to time.

An increase in speed;

The magnitude of a velocity.

The act of accelerating; increasing the speed

Swiftness of action

(physics) a rate of change of velocity

The act of moving rapidly

Acceleration can be positive or negative.

The state of being in rapid motion; rapidity

A transmission gear or set of gears in a motor vehicle

A numerical expression of the sensitivity of a photographic film, plate, or paper to light.

The capacity of a lens to accumulate light at an appropriate aperture.

The length of time required or permitted for a camera shutter to open and admit light.

(Slang) A stimulant drug, especially amphetamine or methamphetamine.

(Slang) One that suits or appeals to a person's inclinations, skills, or character

(Archaic) Prosperity; luck.

To go, move, or proceed quickly

To drive at a speed exceeding a legal limit

To pass quickly

To move, work, or happen at a faster rate; accelerate

(Slang) To be under the influence of a stimulant drug.

To prove successful; prosper.

To get along in a specified manner; fare.

To cause to move or proceed quickly; hasten

To increase the speed or rate of; accelerate. Often used with up

To further, promote, or expedite (a legal action, for example).

(Archaic) To help to succeed or prosper; aid.

The state of moving quickly or the capacity for rapid motion.

The rate of motion or action, specifically the magnitude of the velocity; the rate distance is traversed in a given time.

(photography) The sensitivity to light of film, plates or sensor.

(photography) The duration of exposure, the time during which a camera shutter is open (shutter speed).

(photography) The largest size of the lens opening at which a lens can be used.

(photography) The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a photographic objective.

Amphetamine or any amphetamine-based drug (especially methamphetamine) used as a stimulant, especially illegally.

(archaic) Luck, success, prosperity.

(slang) Personal preference.

A third-order measure of derivative price sensitivity, expressed as the rate of change of gamma with respect to changes in the underlying asset price.

(film) Called by the soundman when the recording equipment has reached running speed and is ready to go.

To succeed; to prosper, be lucky.

To help someone, to give them fortune; to aid or favour.

(intransitive) To go fast.

(intransitive) To exceed the speed limit.

(transitive) To increase the rate at which something occurs.

To be under the influence of stimulant drugs, especially amphetamines.

(obsolete) To be expedient.

(archaic) To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin.

(archaic) To wish success or good fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.

To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.

To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.

Prosperity in an undertaking; favorable issue; success.

The act or state of moving swiftly; swiftness; velocity; rapidly; rate of motion; dispatch; as, the speed a horse or a vessel.

One who, or that which, causes or promotes speed or success.

To go; to fare.

To experience in going; to have any condition, good or ill; to fare.

To fare well; to have success; to prosper.

To make haste; to move with celerity.

To be expedient.

To cause to be successful, or to prosper; hence, to aid; to favor.

To cause to make haste; to dispatch with celerity; to drive at full speed; hence, to hasten; to hurry.

To hasten to a conclusion; to expedite.

To hurry to destruction; to put an end to; to ruin; to undo.

To wish success or god fortune to, in any undertaking, especially in setting out upon a journey.

Distance travelled per unit time

A rate (usually rapid) at which something happens;

Changing location rapidly

The ratio of the focal length to the diameter of a (camera) lens system

A central nervous system stimulant that increases energy and decreases appetite; used to treat narcolepsy and some forms of depression

Step on it;

Move faster;

Travel at an excessive or illegal velocity;

Move very fast;

Cause to move faster;

Speed is independent of direction.

Speed quantifies the rate of motion.

Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance.

No, speed is a scalar quantity, having only magnitude.

Speed is usually measured in units like miles per hour or meters per second.

No, negative acceleration or deceleration indicates slowing down.

Negative acceleration, or deceleration, implies an object is slowing down.

No, speed is scalar and only has positive magnitude, but velocity, which considers direction, can be negative.

Yes, if the direction changes, like a car moving in a circle at a constant speed.

If speed remains constant and direction doesn't change, acceleration is zero.

Acceleration is the rate of change of speed of an object over time.

No, only those whose speed or direction changes over time.

No, acceleration implies a change in speed or direction, which requires motion.

Mass of the object, applied force, and existing speed can influence acceleration.

Forces, such as pushing or pulling, cause acceleration in objects.

Speed is scalar and only considers magnitude, while velocity is vector, considering both speed and direction.

Acceleration is a vector quantity as it has both magnitude and direction.