Distance vs Displacement Comprehension Check

Is distance a scalar or a vector quantity?

• scalar

• vector

Answer explanation

It is Scalar because it has only the magnitude (the number and unit)

Is displacement a scalar or a vector quantity?

• vector

• scalar

Answer explanation

It is a VECTOR because it has a magnitude (number and unit) and a direction.

Which of the following is a vector?

• 0.007cm

• 7 meters

• 7 x 10⁶ m

• 7 miles Northwest

Answer explanation

7 miles Northwest has a magnitude (7 miles) and a direction (Northwest)

A ping-pong ball rolls forward 6 meters, and bounces backward 3 meters. It traveled a total distance of:

• 9 meters

• 3 meters

• 6 meters

• 0 meters

Answer explanation

The total distance adds up all magnitudes (Numbers and units) that it traveled.

6 m + 3 m = 9 m total

A ping-pong ball rolls forward 6 meters, and bounces backward 3 meters. Its displacement is:

• 9 meters forward

• 3 meters forward

• 3 meters backward

• 3 meters

Answer explanation

Directions that move opposite of each other cancel each other out.

If it moved forward 6 meters then backwards 3 meters. We are canceling out 3 meters from the 6 meters we had before

You must add the direction that it moved from the starting place.