Tom is analyzing data from a remote-controlled car moving in a straight line. He has information about the car's position and time.

Which statement correctly describes how Tom can distinguish between the car's speed and velocity?
A.Tom can calculate the car's speed by finding the rate of change of its velocity over time.
B.To determine the car's velocity, Tom needs to know both its speed and direction of motion.
C.If the car's position values are increasing, its velocity is always positive regardless of its direction.
D.Tom can find the car's average speed by multiplying the total distance traveled by the total time taken.

The correct statement is:

**B.** *To determine the car's velocity, Tom needs to know both its speed and direction of motion.*

### Explanation:
- **Speed** is a scalar quantity that refers only to how fast an object is moving (magnitude of motion), regardless of the direction.
- **Velocity**, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, meaning it has both a magnitude (speed) and a direction. Knowing the direction is essential for distinguishing velocity from speed.

### Why the other statements are incorrect:
- **A**: This describes acceleration, not speed. The rate of change of velocity over time is acceleration, not speed.
- **C**: If position values are increasing, it does not necessarily mean the velocity is positive. The direction matters; for example, if the car is moving in a negative direction but returning to the origin, the velocity could be negative even if position values increase.
- **D**: Average speed is found by dividing the total distance traveled by the total time taken, not multiplying them.

Would you like any further details or have any questions?

### Related Questions:
1. What is the difference between average speed and instantaneous speed?
2. How do you calculate average velocity from a position-time graph?
3. How can you calculate the acceleration of the car if you know the velocity over time?
4. What happens to velocity if the direction of motion changes but the speed remains the same?
5. How can Tom use calculus to find the instantaneous velocity of the car?

### Tip:
To calculate velocity, always remember that direction is key—it defines whether velocity is positive or negative, depending on the chosen reference frame.

Tom is analyzing data from a remote-controlled car moving in a straight line. He has information about the car's position and time.

Which statement correctly describes how Tom can distinguish between the car's speed and velocity?
A. Tom can calculate the car's speed by finding the rate of change of its velocity over time.
B. To determine the car's velocity, Tom needs to know both its speed and direction of motion.
C. If the car's position values are increasing, its velocity is always positive regardless of its direction.
D. Tom can find the car's average speed by multiplying the total distance traveled by the total time taken.

Understand the distinction between speed and velocity through a kinematics-based problem. Learn why knowing both magnitude and direction is essential for calculating velocity and how average speed is computed using total distance and time. Suitable for high school students in Grades 9-12.

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