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Distance vs Displacement

Distance vs Displacement. Learning Target. I can explain the difference between distance and displacement. Why? In this unit we will be investigating distance compared to displacement. You should be able to say how they are different and how they are the same. 0. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

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Distance vs Displacement

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  1. Distance vs Displacement

  2. Learning Target • I can explain the difference between distance and displacement. • Why? • In this unit we will be investigating distance compared to displacement. You should be able to say how they are different and how they are the same.

  3. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Distance • Distance (d) – measures how far an object travels. • It does not depend on direction. • Imagine an ant crawling along a ruler. • What distance did the ant travel? • d = 3 cm

  4. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Distance • Distance measures how far an object travels but isn’t dependent on direction. • Here’s our intrepid ant explorer again. • Now what distance did the ant travel? • d = 3 cm • Does his direction change the answer? • No

  5. 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Distance • Distance does not depend on direction. • Let’s follow the ant again. • What distance did the ant walk this time? • d = 7 cm

  6. Displacement • Displacement – is the difference between an object’s final position and its starting position. • It does depend on direction.

  7. Displacement vs. Distance • Example of distance: • The ant walked 3 cm. • Example of displacement: • The ant walked 3 cm EAST. • An object’s distance traveled and its displacement aren’t always the same!

  8. Displacement Calculation • Displacement = final position – initial position • x = xfinal – xinitial • In order to define displacement, we need directions. • Examples of directions: • Positive (+) and negative (–) • North, South, East, West

  9. - + 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Displacement • Let’s revisit our ant, and this time we’ll find his displacement. • Distance: 3 cm • Displacement: +3 cm • The positive gives the ant a direction!

  10. - + 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Displacement • Find the ant’s displacement again. • Remember, displacement has direction! • Distance: 3 cm • Displacement: -3 cm

  11. - + 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 cm Displacement • Find the distance and displacement of the ant. • Distance: 7 cm • Displacement: +3 cm

  12. An athlete runs around a track that is 100 meters long three times, then stops. What is the athlete’s distance and displacement? Distance = 300 m Displacement = 0 m Why? Displacement vs. Distance

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