Distance, Displacement, Speed, and Velocity

Front

What is the definition of distance?

Back

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

Front

What is the definition of displacement?

Back

Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance from the initial position to the final position of an object, along with the direction, measured in meters.

Front

What is speed?

Back

Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to how fast an object is moving, calculated as distance divided by time, measured in m/s.

Front

What is velocity?

Back

Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to the rate at which an object changes its position, calculated as displacement divided by time, measured in m/s.

Front

What is the formula for calculating average speed?

Back

Average speed = Total distance / Total time.

Front

What is the formula for calculating average velocity?

Back

Average velocity = Total displacement / Total time.

Front

How do speed and velocity differ?

Back

Speed is a scalar quantity (magnitude only), while velocity is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).

Front

What happens to displacement if an object returns to its starting point?

Back

The displacement is zero, even if the distance traveled is not.

Front

What is a vector quantity?

Back

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction, such as displacement and velocity.

Front

What is a scalar quantity?

Back

A scalar quantity has only magnitude and no direction, such as distance and speed.