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The '''velocity''' of an object is the rate of change of its [[displacement]]. If the position of an object is some [[function]] of [[time]], then the velocity is the [[derivative]] of that function:
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The '''velocity''' of an object is the rate of change of its [[displacement]], and direction of the change. If the position of an object is some [[function]] of [[time]], then the velocity is the [[derivative]] of that function:
    
:<math>v(t)={\mathrm{d}x \over \mathrm{d}t}</math>
 
:<math>v(t)={\mathrm{d}x \over \mathrm{d}t}</math>
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where ''x'' is the position and ''v'' is the velocity. The velocity is a [[vector]], and its length or absolute value is called the ''speed''. The velocity has dimensions of length / time, and may thus be expressed in meters per seconds (in scientific usage).
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where ''x'' is the position and ''v'' is the velocity. The velocity is a [[vector]], and its length or absolute value is called the ''[[speed]]''. The velocity has dimensions of length / time, and may thus be expressed in meters per seconds (in scientific usage).
    
For an object moving along a straight trajectory, if [[acceleration]] and velocity have the same sign, the object is gaining [[speed]].  If acceleration and velocity have different signs, the object is losing speed.
 
For an object moving along a straight trajectory, if [[acceleration]] and velocity have the same sign, the object is gaining [[speed]].  If acceleration and velocity have different signs, the object is losing speed.
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