Distance vs Displacement

Vector quantities need both a magnitude and a _____.

• distance
• displacement
• direction
• velocity

How are distance and displacement different?

• Distance is the shortest way from the starting point to the end point, displacement is the longer way from starting point to the end point.

• Distance has magnitude and direction, displacement has magnitude only

• Distance is measured in miles; displacement is measured in kilometers or meters

• Distance has magnitude only while displacement has both magnitude and direction

5 meters

• Distance

• Displacement

5 meters north

• Distance

• Displacement

1,000 km Southeast

• Distance

• Displacement

1,000 km

• Distance

• Displacement

5 steps in the positive direction

• Distance

• Displacement

Ann is 6 blocks West of her house

• Distance

• Displacement

Ann walked 6 blocks

• Distance

• Displacement

A persons walks 50 meters directly north, stops, and then travels 32 meters directly south.  What is their distance traveled?

• 82 meters
• 18 meters
• 32 meters