Distance and Displacement

Front

What is the definition of distance in physics?

Back

Distance is a scalar quantity that represents the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction.

Front

What is the definition of displacement in physics?

Back

Displacement is a vector quantity that represents the shortest straight-line distance from the initial position to the final position of an object, along with the direction.

Front

True or False: The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.

Back

True.

Front

If Sara walks from Point A to Point B, then to Point C, and finally to Point D, how do you calculate the total distance?

Back

Add the lengths of each segment of the path together.

Front

What is the relationship between distance and displacement when an object returns to its starting point?

Back

The distance is greater than zero, but the displacement is zero.

Front

In the scenario where Bill runs 400 meters to Andy's house and then back, what is his displacement?

Back

The displacement is 0 meters, as he ends up at his starting point.

Front

How do you calculate displacement if you know the initial and final positions?

Back

Displacement = Final Position - Initial Position.

Front

What is the formula for calculating average speed?

Back

Average Speed = Total Distance / Total Time.

Front

What is the difference between scalar and vector quantities?

Back

Scalar quantities have only magnitude (e.g., distance), while vector quantities have both magnitude and direction (e.g., displacement).

Front

If Jerry walked 5 km to school and then 3 km to the park, what is his total distance?

Back

Total distance = 5 km + 3 km = 8 km.