Uploaded byIan Anderson
Objects in motion - 01 Distance and displacement
This document defines and distinguishes between distance, displacement, and position-time graphs. It explains that distance is a scalar quantity that measures how far an object travels, while displacement is a vector quantity that measures the net change in position including direction. Position-time graphs can be used to determine an object's displacement and speed over time by plotting its position. The document provides examples comparing distance and displacement using a treasure hunt scenario and position-time graphs. Definitions and examples are included to illustrate these core physics concepts.
In this document
Powered by AI
Introduction to distance vs. displacement, illustrating differences with examples like school walking distance and treasure hunting.
Distance measures how far an object travels, e.g., 3200 paces, using units like meters, as a scalar quantity.
Displacement is the change in position, shortest route between points, e.g., 200 paces west, as a vector quantity.
Position-time graphs show distance over time, enabling the calculation of displacement and speed/velocity.
Examples using position-time graphs to track distance (12m total) and determine displacement at different times.
Questions related to a position-time graph, covering stationary times, distance, and displacement at a specific time.
Citations for sources used in presentation and additional resources for further study.
More Related Content
Similar to Objects in motion - 01 Distance and displacement
More from Ian Anderson
Objects in motion - 01 Distance and displacement
- 1. OBJECTS IN MOTION. 01.Distance and displacement. Ian Anderson Saint Ignatius College Geelong
- 2. DISTANCE V DISPLACEMENT. Howfar do you think you walk every day while at school between homeroom in the morning and homeroom in the afternoon?
- 3. DISTANCE V DISPLACEMENT. Whatwould you say if I said you walked 0 m? It’s true! Your displacement between morning homeroom and afternoon homeroom is zero. Although the distance you walked is probably closer to around 2500 m. So what is the difference between distance and displacement?
- 4. DISTANCE V DISPLACEMENT. Followthe clues on the treasure map to find the buried treasure. Source: Sharwood (2006)
- 5. DISTANCE V DISPLACEMENT. Howmany paces have you walked when you get to the treasure? Answer = 3200 paces. Source: Sharwood (2006) How many paces are you actually away from your landing point? Answer = 200 paces to the west.
- 6. DISTANCE V DISPLACEMENT. Howmany paces have you walked when you get to the treasure? Answer = 3200 paces. How many paces are you actually away from your landing point? Answer = 200 paces to the west. Source: Sharwood (2006)
- 7. DISTANCE. Distance is ameasure of how far an object travels over a certain period of time. 3200 paces in our pirate treasure example. Distance can be measured in any length units, including kilometres or millimetres, but is usually converted into metres. Metres (m) is the SI unit for distance. Distance is a scalar quantity because it only has size but no direction.
- 8. DISPLACEMENT. Displacement describes thechange in position of an object and its direction over a certain period of time. It is the shortest distance between the initial point and the final point. 200 paces West in our pirate treasure example. The SI unit for displacement is metres (m). The direction of the change in position can be described using compass points (N, S, E or W); left or right; or positive (+) or negative (-). Displacement is a vector quantity because it has size and direction.
- 9. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. Position-timegraphs (also called displacement-time graphs) show the total distance travelled by an object over time. Position-time graphs can be used to determine The displacement of an object at any point in time. The speed or velocity of an object at any point in time.
- 10. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. Position-timegraphs (also called displacement-time graphs) show the total distance travelled by an object over time. Position-time graphs can be used to determine The displacement of an object at any point in time. The speed or velocity of an object at any point in time.
- 11. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. Position-time graphsshow the total distance covered by an object as time progressed. The object first covers a distance of 4 m in 6 s, stops for 2 s, before setting off again for a distance of 8 m in 4 s, before finally resting for another 3 s. The total distance covered was 12 m. Source: Alford et al. (2010)
- 12. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. Position-time graphscan also be used to determine the displacement of an object at any point in time. At 6 s the displacement of the object is 4 m N (or +4 m). The displacement of the object at the end of the journey is 4 m S (or -4 m). Source: Alford et al. (2010)
- 13. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. Use theposition-time graph to answer the questions that follow. Source: Sharwood et al. (2006)
- 14. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. 1. Atwhat time/s was the object stationary? Answer = Between 0 & 30 s and again between 60 & 80 s. Source: Sharwood et al. (2006)
- 15. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. 2. Whatwas the objects distance from it’s starting point at t=60 s? Answer = 60 m Note: At 60 s the object’s displacement is -20 m from point (P). Source: Sharwood et al. (2006)
- 16. POSITION-TIME GRAPHS. 3. Whatwas the objects displacement from it’s starting point at t=60 s? Answer = 60 m S Source: Sharwood et al. (2006)
- 17. BIBLIOGRAPHY. Alford, K., Keenihan,S., Malone, J., & Smart, A. (2010). Big Ideas Science 3: VELS Edition. Melbourne: Oxford University Press. Sharwood, J. (Ed.). (2006). Science Edge 4. Melbourne: Thomson Learning.
- 18.