Distance, Displacement, Speed, and Velocity

Front

What is distance?

Back

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

Front

What is displacement?

Back

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

Front

What is speed?

Back

Speed is the rate at which an object covers distance, calculated as distance divided by time.

Front

What is velocity?

Back

Velocity is the rate of change of position of an object, defined as displacement divided by time, and includes direction.

Front

What is acceleration?

Back

Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object, which can occur due to a change in speed or direction.

Front

If a car travels 100 m in 5 seconds, what is its speed?

Back

Speed = Distance / Time = 100 m / 5 s = 20 m/s.

Front

If a person walks 3 m east and then 4 m north, what is their displacement?

Back

Displacement = √(3² + 4²) = 5 m at an angle of 53.13° from the east.

Front

What happens to velocity when an object is accelerating?

Back

When an object is accelerating, its velocity is changing, either increasing or decreasing.

Front

Can an object have a constant speed but changing velocity?

Back

Yes, if an object is moving in a circular path at a constant speed, its velocity is changing due to the change in direction.

Front

What is the difference between average speed and instantaneous speed?

Back

Average speed is the total distance traveled divided by the total time taken, while instantaneous speed is the speed of an object at a specific moment.