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Distance vs Displacement Guide

This document discusses the concepts of distance and displacement in physics for an 8th grade unit. Distance is defined as the actual length of the path traveled by an object, while displacement is the straight line distance between the initial and final positions. Distance is a scalar quantity that only has magnitude, while displacement is a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Examples are provided to distinguish between distance and displacement. The key differences and units used to measure distance and displacement are also reviewed.

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153 views10 pages

Distance vs Displacement Guide

This document discusses the concepts of distance and displacement in physics for an 8th grade unit. Distance is defined as the actual length of the path traveled by an object, while displacement is the straight line distance between the initial and final positions. Distance is a scalar quantity that only has magnitude, while displacement is a vector quantity that has both magnitude and direction. Examples are provided to distinguish between distance and displacement. The key differences and units used to measure distance and displacement are also reviewed.

Uploaded by

Gopu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SUBJECT

UNIT
GRADE

:
:
:

PHYSICS
DISTANCE & DISPLACEMENT
VIII

SUBMITTED BY
GOPAKUMAR K.
B.Ed (PHYSICAL SCIENCE)
RAJEEV MEMORIAL COLLEGE OF TEACHER
EDUCATION

MOTION
The change in position of a body with time is
motion.

Motion can be described in terms of the


distance moved or displacement.

A
Distance
travelled
travelled
from B to

is the actual length of the path


by a body. In the figure distance
is length of path from A to B and
C.

Displacement is the length


path travelled by a body
position to its final position.
per above figure is length of

of the shortest
from its initial
Displacement as
the path from A

0
5
10 15
55
60 km
O

20

25

30

35

40

45

50

If a body starts moving in a straight line from


origin O and moves through C and B and reaches
A and then moves back and reaches C through B,
then
Distance travelled = 60 + 35 = 95 km

Displacement Vs Distance
Stopped
here
t
n
e
m
e
c
a
l
p
s
i
d

distance

A Physics teacher walks 4 meters East, 2 meters


South, 4 meters West, and finally 2 meters North.

Even though the Physics teacher has walked a


total distance of 12 meters, the displacement
is 0 meters.
During the course of her motion, she has
"covered 12 meters of ground" (distance = 12
m).

Distance is a scalar quantity. It has only


magnitude.
Displacement, however, is a vector quantity
and has magnitude as well as direction.
The SI unit for measuring distance is the meter
(m).
For very large distances, it is more common to
make measurements in kilometer (km).
Distances that are smaller than a meter are
measured in centimeter (cm).

Review
Distance
_______________
is the actual length of the path
described by a body in motion.

The straight line or shortest distance


Displacement
between the initial position and final
position
of a body is _______________.
scalar

magnitude

Distance is a ____________ quantity, has only


_____________.
vector
direction

Displacement is a ___________ quantity, has both

Review
B
10m

12m

15m

11m

18m

Complete the table on the basis of the figure


Instance
A to B
A to C (via B)
A to D (via B & C)

Distance

10m
22m
33m

Displacement

10m
15m
18m

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