Distance vs. Displacement

Scott travels north 5 miles and then goes west 3 miles before coming straight back south 2 miles. What is his distance?

• 10
• 7
• 8
• 6

Distance and direction of an object's change in position from a starting point

• displacement
• distance
• motion
• reference point

 Jermaine runs exactly 2 laps around a 400 meter track. What is the displacement?

• 800
• 400
• 0
• 200

David walks 3 km north, and then turns east and walks 4 km. What is the distance?

• 7 km
• 3 km
• 4 km
• 1 km

Bill runs 400 meters to Andy's house, turns around, and runs 400 meters back home.  What is Bill's distance?

• 0 meters
• 400 meters
• 800 meters
• 1600 meters

Bill runs 400 meters to Andy's house, turns around, and runs 400 meters back home.  What is Bill's displacement?

• 0 meters
• 400 meters
• 800 meters
• 1600 meters

Jerry walked from home to school, then from the school to the park. What is his total distance?

• 2 km

• 5 km

• 8 km

• 10 km

Jerry walked from home to school, then from the school to the park. What is his total displacement?

• 2 km

• 5 km

• 8 km

• 10 km

A person walks 50 meters directly north, stops, and then travels 32 meters directly south.  What is their displacement?

• 82 meters
• 18 meters
• 28 meters

A car drives 84 meters forward.  It's displacement and distance would be the same.

• True
• False