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Understanding Distance and Displacement: Scalar vs. Vector in Physics

This guide explores the concepts of distance and displacement in physical sciences, highlighting the differences between scalar and vector quantities. Scalars have magnitude only, while vectors possess both magnitude and direction. We delve into five key vectors in physics: momentum, acceleration, displacement, force, and impulse. Through practical examples, we differentiate between the total distance traveled and the straight-line displacement from the starting point. The summary reinforces these concepts, ensuring clear understanding of sign conventions: positive (north, east, up) and negative (south, west, down).

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Understanding Distance and Displacement: Scalar vs. Vector in Physics

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Paths in One and Two Dimensions Distance and Displacement

  2. Scalar vs. Vector • SCALAR • A measured quantity that has MAGNITUDE but NO DIRECTION • Can only be POSITIVE • VECTOR • A measured quantity that HAS MAGNITUDE & DIRECTION • Can be POSITIVE OR NEGATIVE

  3. The MADFIVE • VECTORS you need to know in Physics • Momentum • Acceleration • Displacement • Force • Impulse • Velocity • Electromagnetism • All others are SCALARS

  4. Distance vs. Displacement • DISTANCE • The TOTAL length of the PATH traveled by a moving object • DISPLACEMENT • The length of the STRAIGHT LINE PATH from a moving object’s ORIGIN to its FINAL POSITION

  5. Sign Conventions Positive NORTH EAST RIGHT UP Negative SOUTH WEST LEFT DOWN A bird flies 5 meters north, then 7 meters south Distance = Displacement = A ball rolls 5 meters north. Distance = Displacement = A cat runs 8 meters west. Distance = Displacement = 12 m 5 m 8 m +5 m -8 m -2 m

  6. Example #1 4 mi East • A man drives his car 3 miles north, then 4 miles east. Distance 7 mi 3 mi North Displacement 5 mi Northeast Calculate the distance he traveled Calculate the displacement from his point of origin.

  7. Example #2 • Three men leave the same house on foot. The first man walks 30 feet north, then 40 feet west. The second man walks 90 feet south, then 88 feet north. The third man walks 10 feet east, then 50 feet west. • Which man has traveled the greatest distance? • Who is farthest from the house? • Who is closest to the house? The second man The first man The second man

  8. SUMMARY • Compare Distance vs. Displacement • Define Vector • Define Scalar • Identify the MADFIVE • Describe the Sign Convention

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