1.2 Distance vs Displacement Application Physical Science 24-25

Which of the following best describes the difference between distance and displacement?

• Distance is a vector quantity, while displacement is a scalar quantity.

• Distance is the total path length traveled, while displacement is the shortest path between two points.

• Distance can be negative, while displacement is always positive.

• Distance is measured in meters, while displacement is measured in kilometers.

If a car travels 3 km north, then 4 km east, what is the car's displacement?

• 7 km

• 5 km

• 1 km

• 12 km

A runner completes a 400-meter lap around a circular track. What is the runner's displacement at the end of the lap?

• 400 meters

• 200 meters

• 0 meters

• 100 meters

Which of the following statements is true about distance and displacement?

• Displacement can be greater than distance.

• Distance can be zero while displacement is non-zero.

• Distance is always greater than or equal to displacement.

• Displacement is always greater than distance.

A person walks 3 meters east, then 4 meters west. What is the total distance traveled and the displacement?

• Distance: 7 meters, Displacement: 1 meter

• Distance: 7 meters, Displacement: 7 meters

• Distance: 1 meter, Displacement: 7 meters

• Distance: 7 meters, Displacement: 0 meters

If an object moves in a straight line from point A to point B and then returns to point A, what is the displacement of the object?

• Twice the distance between A and B

• Zero

• The distance between A and B

• Half the distance between A and B

A cyclist travels 5 km north, then 5 km east, and finally 5 km south. What is the cyclist's displacement from the starting point?

• 5 km

• 10 km

• 15 km

• 5 km east

Which of the following scenarios best illustrates the concept of displacement?

• A car's odometer reading after a long trip.

• The straight-line distance between a starting point and an ending point.

• The total distance covered by a runner in a marathon.

• The number of steps taken by a person in a day.

A hiker walks 8 km north and then 6 km east. What is the magnitude of the hiker's displacement?

• 14 km

• 10 km

• 2 km

• 7 km

If a person walks 10 meters north, then 10 meters east, and finally 10 meters south, what is the total distance traveled and the displacement?

• Distance: 30 meters, Displacement: 10 meters

• Distance: 30 meters, Displacement: 20 meters

• Distance: 30 meters, Displacement: 0 meters

• Distance: 30 meters, Displacement: 10 meters east