Distance vs. Displacement

Which of the following describes distance and displacement correctly?

• The blue arrow shows distance and the orange arrows show displacement
• The blue arrow shows displacement and the orange arrows show distance
• Both arrows show distance only
• Both arrows show distance and displacement

Jerry walked from home to school, then from the school to the park.  What is his total displacement?

• 2 km
• 5 km
• 8 km
• 10 km

Jerry walked from home to school, then from the school to the park.  What is his total distance?

• 2 km
• 5 km
• 8 km
• 10 km

A cat walks 3 meters west toward a laser, then jumps 5 meters due south of the laser when it sees a thing. What is the total distance the cat has traveled (to the nearest tenth)?

• 3.0m

• 5.0m

• 8.0m

• 5.8m

A cat walks 3 meters toward a laser, then jumps 5 meters due south of the laser when it sees a thing. What is the displacement of the cat (to the nearest tenth)?

• 3.0m SW

• 5.0m SW

• 8.0m SW

• 5.8m SW

What describes a vector best?

• Magnitude

• Magnitude and unit

• Magnitude, unit, and direction

• Direction

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

• 9 meters
• 6 meters
• 3 meters
• 0 meters

Liza is swimming laps from one end of a 50 meter pool to the other. Going from one end to the other is considered one lap. If she swims four complete laps, which statement is TRUE?

• Her distance and displacement are both zero.
• Her distance is zero, but her displacement is 200 meters.
• Her distance is 200 meters, but her displacement is zero.
• Her distance and displacement are both 200 meters.

Ronaldo runs across a soccer field, moving 10 meters north, then 8 meters west. His displacement would be:

• 10.2 m, NW
• 12.8 m, NW
• 15.4 m, NW
• 18.0 m, NW

Determine your displacement if you travel from A to B. (round to the nearest whole number.

• 370 meters

• 447 meters

• 523 meters

• 600 meters