What measurement describes the rate of change of distance?

The correct answer is speed because it specifically quantifies how quickly an object covers distance over time. Speed is a scalar quantity, meaning it only has magnitude and is typically expressed in units such as meters per second (m/s) or kilometers per hour (km/h). It reflects how fast something is moving regardless of the direction in which it travels.

In physics, speed is defined as the distance traveled divided by the time taken to travel that distance. This makes it an essential concept in understanding motion and allowing for comparisons between different moving objects or scenarios.

Velocity, while often confused with speed, differs in that it includes directional information and is thus considered a vector quantity. While it also indicates the rate of change of distance, it conveys additional depth by incorporating the direction of motion.

Force relates to mass and acceleration, playing a critical role in Newton's laws of motion but doesn't describe the rate of change of distance.

Momentum, which is the product of an object's mass and its velocity, also does not define the rate at which an object covers distance, but rather the quantity of motion an object has.

Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why speed is the most appropriate choice for describing simply how fast distance changes over time.