Zero Velocity: Understanding 0 m/s

0 m/s simply means something is not moving at all. It is standing still.

Think about your favorite toy sitting on the shelf. If you do not touch it, it stays in one spot. Its speed is 0 m/s. It is like a paused video on a tablet. The picture is there, but nothing happens.

Imagine a race. When the starter says "go," the runners zoom off. But before that moment, everyone stands still. Their speed is 0 m/s.

Here is how to tell the difference:

• Moving: You run to the playground. Your speed is higher than zero.
• Stopped: You sit on a swing that isn't swinging. Your speed is 0 m/s.

Speed is just how fast something covers distance. If you cover no distance, your speed is zero.

When you are in a parked car, you are not going anywhere. Even if the engine is on, if the wheels aren't turning, you have zero meters per second. It means you are staying put, safe and steady, until you decide to move.