Distance and Displacement

Front

What is distance?

Back

Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction. It is a scalar quantity.

Front

What is displacement?

Back

Displacement is the shortest distance from the initial position to the final position of an object, along with the direction. It is a vector quantity.

Front

If Jerry walked 2 km to school and then 6 km to the park, what is his total distance?

Back

8 km

Front

If Billy runs 400 meters to Andy's house and back, what is his total distance?

Back

800 meters

Front

If Jerry walked from home to school (2 km) and then to the park (5 km), what is his total displacement if the park is 2 km east of home?

Back

2 km east

Front

What is the formula for calculating displacement?

Back

Displacement = Final Position - Initial Position

Front

If an object moves from 2 m to 10 m, what is its displacement?

Back

+8 m

Front

If you walk 5 meters south, 5 meters west, 5 meters north, and then 5 meters east, what is your displacement?

Back

0 m

Front

What is a scalar quantity? Give an example.

Back

A scalar quantity has only magnitude and no direction. Example: Distance.

Front

What is a vector quantity? Give an example.

Back

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction. Example: Displacement.