Distance vs Displacement in Physics
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Questions and Answers

What is the main difference between distance and displacement?

  • Displacement is a scalar quantity, while distance is a vector quantity.
  • Distance is measured in meters, while displacement is measured in kilometers.
  • Distance is a scalar quantity, while displacement is a vector quantity. (correct)
  • Displacement describes only the magnitude of change, while distance includes direction.
  • Which formula represents the calculation for displacement?

  • $s = sqrt( (Δx)^2 + (Δy)^2 + (Δz)^2 )$
  • $Δs = Δx + Δy + Δz$ (correct)
  • $s = Δx + Δy + Δz$
  • $Δs = sqrt( (Δx)^2 + (Δy)^2 + (Δz)^2 )$
  • Which of the following statements about displacement is true?

  • Displacement gives both magnitude and direction of the change in position. (correct)
  • The displacement vector is denoted by the symbol $s$.
  • Displacement ignores the direction of motion.
  • Displacement is a scalar quantity.
  • What does the distance formula $s = sqrt( (Δx)^2 + (Δy)^2 + (Δz)^2 )$ calculate?

    <p>Magnitude of change in position without considering direction.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In what units is displacement typically measured?

    <p>Meters</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which statement correctly describes displacement in physics?

    <p>Displacement can be negative based on the direction of motion.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the symbol Δs represent in the context of displacement?

    <p>Difference between initial and final positions of an object.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Distance and Displacement

    • Distance is a scalar quantity that measures how far an object has traveled.
    • Displacement is a vector quantity that describes the direction and amount of change in an object's position.

    Displacement Vector

    • Defined as the difference between an object's initial and final positions.
    • Denoted by the symbol Δs.
    • Formula: Δs = Δx + Δy + Δz, where Δx, Δy, and Δz are the differences in x, y, and z coordinates of the initial and final positions.

    Distance Formula

    • Formula: s = sqrt( (Δx)^2 + (Δy)^2 + (Δz)^2 ), where s is the distance traveled.
    • Δx, Δy, and Δz are the differences in x, y, and z coordinates of the initial and final positions.

    Importance of Distance and Displacement

    • Help determine the amount of motion an object undergoes.
    • Help determine the direction and magnitude of an object's motion.
    • Useful quantities in physics for understanding an object's change in position.

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    Description

    Learn about the concepts of distance and displacement in physics and how they differ. Understand the scalar nature of distance and the vector nature of displacement, along with the calculation of displacement using the formula Δs = s_final - s_initial.

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