Distance vs Displacement
Explore the differences between distance and displacement, with examples, calculations, and practical applications of vector quantities. Learn how to calculate displacement using direction and magnitude.
Distance vs Displacement
E N D
Presentation Transcript
Types of Quantities Vector – Quantities that includes both magnitude (size) and a direction • Vectors can be drawn and are represented by arrows Example: 12 m south Scalar – Quantities that do not include direction (magnitude only) Example: 4 seconds
Distance vs Displacement • Distance is a scalar quantity: direction doesn’t matter, just how far an object travels • Displacement is a vector • Direction matters • Straight line route from where you started to where you end (as the crow flies) • MUST HAVE DEGREE and DIRECTION
What is the Distance traveled? 2 m 1 m 6 m 8 m d = 8 m + 6 m + 2 m + 1 m d = 17 m
What is the displacement? 2 m 1 m 6 m 8 m
Distance vs. Displacement Examples 6 m 3 m Distance= Displacement = 9 m 9 m right 3 m 6 m Distance= Displacement = 9 m 3 m left Distance= Displacement = 9 m ? 3 m 6 m
Distance versus Displacement • To determine displacement draw a diagram of the path taken • Example: 8 m east, then 6m north, then 2 m east, then 1 m south • Simplify the diagram to a right triangle by adding east arrows and north arrows. • Use Pythagorean Theorem to determine the displacement 2 m 1 m 6 m 8 m 1 m 6 m 5 m 8 m 10 m 2 m
Range of Values • Maximum Displacement occurs when: • The two vectors are pointed in the same direction (0o) • Example: • Displacement = 10 m • Minimum Displacement occurs when: • The two vectors are pointed in the opposite directions (180o) • Example: • Displacement= 6 m Right • All other angles will result in a value in between that range. 8 m 2 m 2 m 8 m
Example with Word Problems • A turtle crawls 5m north, then 3m east, and then 2 m south in 1000 seconds. What is his distance traveled, displacement, average speed and average velocity? • Givens: t=1000 s 3 m 2 m 5 m
Distance vs Displacement • Distance= • 5m +3m +2m = 10 m • Displacement= • a2 + b2 = c2 • (3m)2 +(3m)2 = c2 • 18 m2 = c2 • c = 4.2 m 37o Northeast 3 m 3 m