Lesson 5 Displacement vs. Distance
Introduction
Do you know the difference between the displacement of an object and the distance an object travels?
C5.1 A twisty road
How is it that the Earth takes 365.25 days to travel 149.6 million km to make one complete orbit around the sun, yet its displacement is zero? In this lesson, you will learn the difference between the concepts of distance and displacement.
We will investigate how distance and displacement can be calculated. Through calculations and graphs, you will learn how an object’s motion over a specific distance and time, can be communicated.
Targets
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to- define, compare, and contrast scalar and vector quantities (define scalar and vector)
- describe displacement quantitatively
- investigate scalar motion and work done using calculations and graphs
Watch This
Distance and Displacement: What Are They and What’s the Difference © YouTube NinetyEast
This video provides you with a great overview of the difference between distance and displacement. It introduces you to the terms “scalar quantities” and “vector quantities” as well. This will help get you in the right mindset for your first lesson in this section.