Distance and displacement

Front

What is the definition of distance?

Back

Distance is the total length of the path traveled by an object, regardless of direction.

Front

What is the definition of displacement?

Back

Displacement is the shortest distance from the initial to the final position of an object, along with the direction.

Front

If Amy runs 2 miles south and then 3 miles north, what is her total distance traveled?

Back

5 miles

Front

If Amy runs 2 miles south and then 3 miles north, what is her displacement?

Back

1 mile north.

Front

What is the difference between distance and displacement?

Back

Distance is a scalar quantity (only magnitude), while displacement is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Front

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

Back

8 km.

Front

If Jerry's home is 2 km away from the park, what is his displacement from home to the park?

Back

2 km.

Front

Ivan walks 10 meters west and then 2 meters east. What is his displacement?

Back

8 meters west.

Front

Bill runs 400 meters to Andy's house and back. What is his displacement?

Back

0 meters.

Front

What is a scalar quantity?

Back

A scalar quantity has only magnitude and no direction (e.g., distance, speed).