Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of distance?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of distance?
- It depends on the path taken between two points. (correct)
- It is measured in meters or other units of length.
- It is always positive or zero.
- It only accounts for the magnitude and not the direction.
A train travels 500 km north, then 200 km east, and finally 300 km south. What is the total distance traveled?
A train travels 500 km north, then 200 km east, and finally 300 km south. What is the total distance traveled?
- 500 km
- 300 km
- 700 km
- 1000 km (correct)
If a cyclist travels at an average speed of 20 m/s for 1 minute, what distance does she cover?
If a cyclist travels at an average speed of 20 m/s for 1 minute, what distance does she cover?
- 2000 m
- 1200 m (correct)
- 600 m
- 20 m
Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
Which of the following is a scalar quantity?
Which quantity considers the starting and ending points along with direction?
Which quantity considers the starting and ending points along with direction?
What is the common symbol used to represent distance in physics?
What is the common symbol used to represent distance in physics?
What can you infer about an object's motion if its displacement is zero after a period of time?
What can you infer about an object's motion if its displacement is zero after a period of time?
What is the standard unit of measurement for distance?
What is the standard unit of measurement for distance?
A car travels 10 km North, then 5 km East. What is the car's displacement?
A car travels 10 km North, then 5 km East. What is the car's displacement?
A boat sails 8 meters west. It continues for another 6 meters south. What is the boat's approximate displacement from its origin?
A boat sails 8 meters west. It continues for another 6 meters south. What is the boat's approximate displacement from its origin?
Which scenario describes zero displacement?
Which scenario describes zero displacement?
A student walks 4m East, then 3m North. If they then walk 4m directly West, what is their total displacement from their starting point?
A student walks 4m East, then 3m North. If they then walk 4m directly West, what is their total displacement from their starting point?
A bird flies 6 meters North, then dives 2 meters down. Which quantity equals 8 meters?
A bird flies 6 meters North, then dives 2 meters down. Which quantity equals 8 meters?
What's the key difference between distance and displacement?
What's the key difference between distance and displacement?
In which case are distance and displacement likely to be equal?
In which case are distance and displacement likely to be equal?
Flashcards
Distance
Distance
The length between objects or points without direction.
Scalar Property
Scalar Property
A quantity with magnitude only, no direction.
Distance Formula
Distance Formula
d = s × t, where d = distance, s = speed, t = time.
Unit of Distance
Unit of Distance
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Consistent Units
Consistent Units
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Total Distance
Total Distance
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Displacement
Displacement
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Example of Distance Calculation
Example of Distance Calculation
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Vector Quantity
Vector Quantity
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Magnitude of Displacement
Magnitude of Displacement
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Pythagorean Theorem
Pythagorean Theorem
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Initial Position
Initial Position
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Final Position
Final Position
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Distance vs Displacement
Distance vs Displacement
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Study Notes
Distance in Physics
- Distance is the length between points or objects, regardless of direction.
- It's a scalar quantity (only magnitude, no direction).
- Distance can only be positive or zero.
- Standard unit is the meter (m), but kilometers (km) and centimeters/millimeters (cm/mm) are also used.
- Represented by the symbol "d".
- Calculated as speed multiplied by time.
- Distance is the sum of all segments traveled.
- Consistent units are crucial for accurate calculations.
Distance Formula
- Distance (d) = Speed (s) × Time (t)
- Units must be consistent (e.g., meters, meters per second, seconds).
Distance Examples
- A car traveling 100 meters north and 300 meters east has a total distance of 400 meters.
- A cyclist traveling at 15 km/hr for 0.5 hours travels a distance of 7.5 km.
Displacement in Physics
- Displacement is an object's change in position.
- It's a vector quantity (magnitude and direction).
- Can be positive, negative, or zero.
- Considers initial and final positions.
- Represented by the symbol Δs (change in position).
- Standard unit is the meter (m).
- Includes both magnitude and direction.
How to Find Displacement in Physics
- On a horizontal line: Displacement = Final position (vf) – Initial position (vi).
- On a plane: Use the Pythagorean Theorem: Δs = √(a² + b²) (where 'a' and 'b' are segments of the displacement vector).
Displacement Examples
- A person walking 3 meters up an aisle has a displacement of 3 meters up.
- A person walking 7 meters down an aisle (from the same starting point) has a displacement of -4 meters or 4 meters down (assuming up is positive).
- A person walking 5 meters east and then 12 meters north has a displacement of 13 meters northeast using the Pythagorean Theorem.
Distance vs. Displacement
- Distance: Scalar, considers only length, starting/ending points don't matter.
- Displacement: Vector, considers length and direction, starting/ending positions are crucial.
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