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2.3 - Distance Vs. Displacement

Last updated almost 3 years ago
33 questions
Distance is the total movement of an object without any regard to direction. We can define distance as to how much ground an object has covered despite its starting or ending point.

Let’s understand the concept of distance with the help of the following diagram:
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How is distance defined by the text?

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What is the distance here from A to B to C and then back to A

Δ is a delta symbol that means change.

Distance Formula:

Δd=d1+d2
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Which symbol means change?

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What does Δd stand for?

How is Displacement defined?

Displacement is defined as the change in position of an object. It is a vector quantity and has a direction and magnitude. It is represented as an arrow that points from the starting position to the final position. For example- If an object moves from A position to B, then the object’s position changes. This change in position of an object is known as Displacement.
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What two things do vector quantities have?

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Displacement is represented as an arrow. Which of these symbols is probably displacement?

The complete length of the path between any two points is called distance. Displacement is the direct length between any two points when measured along the minimum path between them.

In other words, distance is the total length of path an object has moved. Displacement is just simply the shortest path from start to finish. Notice how in the image below the red line is the distance or complete path take, while the blue line is the shortest path from the girl starts and finishes in her journey.
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What is the difference between displacement and distance?

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Give an example of that explains the difference between displacement and distance.

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Displacement = ____________________________________________

Distance =
__________________________________________
Other Answer Choices:
the total length from start to finish
the minimum length from start to finish
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A) Explain each part of the image above. How does the image show displacement and distance?

B) What quantity is the distance and what is the displacement (make sure to include the units)?

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Total length covered is called

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Distance is measured in ______________________
Other Answer Choices:
jouels (j)
units (u)
meters (m)
mass (m)
force (f)
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In science, we do not like big numbers. It is better to simplify. How did they simplify the distances of 20,000m and 50,000m

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Distance is a scalar quantity because

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What makes displacement a vector quantity?

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Which of these descriptions is most likely displacement?

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When will the magnitude of distance and displacement be the same?

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Clayton walks 50 meters directly north, stops, and then travels 32 meters directly south.  

A) Draw his travel path with a blue dashed line.
B) Calculate Clayton's displacement?

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Wyatt runs 400 meters to Noah's house, turns around, and runs 400 meters back home.  

A) Draw his travel path with a blue dashed line.
B) Calculate Wyatt's displacement?

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Which of the following is correct?

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Tina's calculations of a tarantula found that the spider was able to cover 20 cm in 5 seconds. What was the average speed of the spider?

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Tyler ran 400 meters at an average speed of 20 m/s. How much time did it take to run the 400 meters?

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What is the speed of a plane that travels 450 miles in 2 hours?

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After completing one trip on a roller coaster, the roller coaster's displacement is zero. Explain Why.

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What is the displacement and distance?
*Make sure to provide the units.
Displacement = _______
Distance = _______
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Draw the displacement line for Excellent's path.