Distance vs. Displacement: Key Concepts Explained

The video introduces the concept of movement in the world and its relevance to physics, specifically kinematics. It explains the difference between vectors and scalars, and how coordinate systems are used to describe positions. The video further distinguishes between distance and displacement, providing practical examples to illustrate these concepts.

What is the study of how things work in general called?

• Mathematics

• Physics

• Chemistry

• Biology

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS2-1

NGSS.HS-PS2-2

NGSS.HS-PS3-1

Which of the following is a vector quantity?

• Mass

• Volume

• Temperature

• Velocity

In a coordinate plane system, what do the positive and negative signs on a dimension indicate?

• The color of the object

• The size of the object

• The speed of the object

• The direction from the origin

What is the origin of the system of longitudes and latitudes on Earth?

• Null Island

• Greenwich

• Equator

• Prime Meridian

How is distance defined in physics?

• The speed of travel

• The shortest path between two points

• The total length of the path traveled

• The time taken to travel between two points

What is displacement?

• The total length of the path traveled

• The change in position from the starting point to the final point

• The time taken to travel between two points

• The speed of travel

If you travel from point A to point B and then back to point A, what is your displacement?

• Twice the distance traveled

• Equal to the distance traveled

• Zero

• Half the distance traveled

In the example of running errands, what determines the total distance traveled?

• The speed of travel

• The time taken to travel

• The path chosen to travel between spots

• The straight line between start and finish

In a race, if one person runs straight to the finish line and another takes a longer route, how do their distances compare?

• Both have the same distance

• The one taking the longer route has a greater distance

• Distance cannot be compared

• The one running straight has a greater distance

In the same race scenario, how do their displacements compare?

• The one taking the longer route has a greater displacement

• The one running straight has a greater displacement

• Displacement cannot be compared

• Both have the same displacement