The thing that distinguishes speed from velocity is (A) direction. (B) magnitude. (C) time. (D) time squared.

Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude—think of it as how fast you're going without caring about where you're headed. Velocity, on the other hand, is a vector quantity, which means it includes both magnitude and direction. So if you're zipping down the street at 60 km/h to the north, that’s velocity! In real life, knowing the difference can be super helpful! For instance, if you're trying to catch a bus, speed alone isn’t enough; you need to know if you're running in the same direction as the bus. Understanding velocity can also help when navigating with a GPS because it accounts for your route as well as how fast you're traveling!