Distance and Displacement

Front

What is distance?

Back

Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction, measured in meters.

Front

What is displacement?

Back

Displacement is the shortest distance from the initial to the final position of an object, measured in a straight line and includes direction.

Front

How do you calculate total distance?

Back

Total distance is calculated by adding up all the lengths of the paths traveled by the object.

Front

How do you calculate total displacement?

Back

Total displacement is calculated by finding the straight line distance from the starting point to the ending point, along with the direction.

Front

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

Back

Distance is a scalar quantity (only magnitude), while displacement is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Front

If an object moves in a circle and returns to the starting point, what is the distance and displacement?

Back

The distance is the circumference of the circle, while the displacement is 0 meters.

Front

What is a scalar quantity?

Back

A scalar quantity is a physical quantity that has only magnitude and no direction, such as distance.

Front

What is a vector quantity?

Back

A vector quantity is a physical quantity that has both magnitude and direction, such as displacement.

Front

If a person walks 3 meters east and then 4 meters west, what is the total distance and displacement?

Back

Total distance is 7 meters; total displacement is 1 meter west.

Front

What is the formula for calculating displacement?

Back

Displacement = Final Position - Initial Position.