Distance and Displacement Concepts

What is position defined as in physics?

• An object's speed.

• An object's location relative to a reference point.

• The total path an object travels.

• The net change in an object's location.

When an object changes its position, what two quantities can be used to describe its movement?

• Speed and velocity

• Mass and weight

• Distance and displacement

• Force and acceleration

How is distance defined when an object moves?

• The net change in position.

• The shortest path between two points.

• The total units traveled.

• The speed of the object.

What is displacement defined as when an object moves?

• The total units traveled.

• The speed of the object.

• The net change in position.

• The acceleration of the object.

Bob drives 40 miles in one direction and then turns around and drives 60 miles back. What is the total distance Bob traveled?

• 20 miles

• 40 miles

• 60 miles

• 100 miles

Bob drives 40 miles in one direction and then turns around and drives 60 miles back. What is Bob's net displacement from his starting point?

• 20 miles

• 40 miles

• 60 miles

• 100 miles

Cathy walks one block north and then one block east to reach a newspaper stand. What is the total distance she walked?

• 1 block

• √2 blocks

• 2 blocks

• 4 blocks

Cathy walks one block north and then one block east to reach a newspaper stand. What is her displacement from her starting point?

• 1 block

• √2 blocks

• 2 blocks

• 4 blocks

Why is distance considered a scalar quantity?

• It only has a direction.

• It has both magnitude and direction.

• It only has a magnitude.

• It is always positive.