Distance & Displacement
Distance is defined as the scalar quantity that
describes a change in position based solely on distance. For example, a person drove
her car 10.0 km.
Displacement
is defined as the vector quantity that describes a change in position in a particular
direction. For example the question "How far did you walk?" can be answered in
terms of simply a distance (scalar) from the reference position such as 2.00 km. Or it can
be answered in terms of a displacement (vector) such as 12.0 km +, .750 km south or 5.25 m
@ 68.5° .
Link
1 Section 1: Distance and Displacement
Link 2 Displacement
Link 3 Lesson
1: Describing Motion with Words: Distance & Displacement
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Speed
& Velocity
Speed The scalar quantity which describes the rate of change of position, is usually expressed in terms of distance covered per unit of time such as
feet per second or kilometers per hour.
Velocity is the vector quantity which describes the
rate of linear motion of a body in a particular direction. Velocity is a vector
quantity—that is, it has both magnitude and direction. The magnitude of velocity is
known as speed. (usually the hour or second), The direction may be indicated
by a + or -, a direction such as north or south, or a heading such as 124.5°.
Link
1 Section 2: Average Velocity and Instantaneous Velocity
Link
2 Average Velocity
Link 3 Lesson
1: Describing Motion with Words: Speed and Velocity
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Acceleration
Acceleration as a scalar quantity can be defined as the time rate of
change of speed. That is, how fast the speed is changing in time. Common
units for acceleration would be meters per second per second or m/s/s. An
acceleration of 5.00 m/s/s means that for every second of time that elapses the speed is
changing by 5.00 m/s.
Acceleration as a vector quantity can be defined as above or simply as a
change in direction occuring at a constant speed! This is because velocity is
a vector quantity itself and is therefore composed of a magnitude and a direction.
If there is a change in either of these components then there is an acceleration!
Link
1 Section 1: What is acceleration?
Link 2 Acceleration
Link 3
Lesson 1: Describing Motion with Words: Acceleration
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Vectors
Link 1
Vectors and Scalars
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Forces
Link 1 Forces
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