Distance/Displacement and Speed/Velocity

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

What is the formula for speed?

Back

Speed = Distance / Time

Front

What is the formula for velocity?

Back

Velocity = Displacement / Time

Front

If a car travels 100 miles east and then 100 miles west, what is the distance traveled?

Back

200 miles

Front

If a car travels 100 miles east and then 100 miles west, what is the displacement?

Back

0 miles

Front

What is the difference between speed and velocity?

Back

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

Front

If a bird flies 200 km north, what is its displacement?

Back

200 km north

Front

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

Back

The displacement is 0.

Front

How does direction affect displacement?

Back

Displacement considers the direction of movement; different paths can result in the same distance but different displacements.