Direction and Distance
Distance is the total length of the path travelled by an object in motion. Direction is the line an object moves along from a particular starting point, expressed in compass degrees (north, east, south and west) or up, down, left, right and even forwards or backwards.
A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude (size) only. (ex: distance of 50m).
A vector is a quantity that has magnitude (size) and direction.
(ex: 25km [North])
A scalar is a quantity that has magnitude (size) only. (ex: distance of 50m).
A vector is a quantity that has magnitude (size) and direction.
(ex: 25km [North])
Position and Displacement
Position (d) is the distance and direction of an object from a particular reference point; it is a vector quantity.
Displacement (∆d) is the change in the object's position. It is a vector quantity. Calculated by subtracting the initial position vector from the final position vector:
Displacement (∆d) is the change in the object's position. It is a vector quantity. Calculated by subtracting the initial position vector from the final position vector:
If an object changes its position multiple times, the total displacement (∆dT) must be calculated by adding the displacements:
Vectors- Vector Scale Diagrams
Vector Scale Diagrams are diagrams drawn using a specific scale and are associated with displacement. Vectors are represented by a straight line between two points with a particular direction. Vectors are added from tip to tail.
Position vs. Time Graphs
Position vs. Time graphs are graphs that describe the motion of an object, the y axis (vertical axis) being the position, and the x axis
(horizontal axis) the time.
(horizontal axis) the time.
The slope of a position vs. time graph (rise over run) is the velocity of the object.
Practice
Worksheets
1. http://home.comcast.net/~schnids78/Holt%20Physics/Chapter%203/PB_3A.pdf (worksheet)
Simulations/Gizmos
1. http://k12resources.nelson.com/science/9780176390785/student/attachments/ott/ani/school_flash.html?file=distance_time_graph (position time graphs)
1. http://home.comcast.net/~schnids78/Holt%20Physics/Chapter%203/PB_3A.pdf (worksheet)
Simulations/Gizmos
1. http://k12resources.nelson.com/science/9780176390785/student/attachments/ott/ani/school_flash.html?file=distance_time_graph (position time graphs)