distance and displacement

• What happens to the magnitudes of two vectors that are in the same direction?


  Their magnitudes add.
• How do you combine two vectors that are in opposite directions?


  You subtract the smaller amount from the larger.
• What is the definition of distance in physics?


  • Total length of the path traveled by an object
  • Regardless of direction
  • It is a scalar quantity
  • Measured in meters
• What is the definition of displacement in physics?


  • Straight line distance from the starting point to the ending point
  • Includes direction
  • It is a vector quantity
  • Measured in meters
• What is a key difference between distance and displacement?


  Distance can never be negative, while displacement can be positive, negative, or zero.
• Can distance be negative?


  No, distance can never be negative.
• What does displacement measure in relation to the starting point?


  Displacement measures the straight line distance from the starting point to the ending point, including direction.
• How is distance measured?


  Distance is measured in meters.
• How is displacement measured?


  Displacement is measured in meters.