Learning Targets
2.01A - I know the difference between position, distance, and displacement (change in position) and I can determine each.
Can You...
- Define and differentiate the following terms
Vector:
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Physical quantity which has a value (magnitude) and a direction. Examples:
Scalar:Physical quantity which has a value, but NO DIRECTION. Examples:
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Position:
Position is an object's location with respect to a particular coordinate system.
- I would think of this as an address. It tells you where something is, but not how to get there.
Distance:
Distance is the magnitude (length) of the displacement vector
Displacement (Change in Position):
Displacement is a vector that starts from an object's initial position and ends at its final position.
Speed:
How much distance is travelled in a certain amount of time.
Velocity:
How much your position changes in a certain amount of time.
Acceleration:
How much velocity changes in a certain amount of time.
- If velocity increases (positive acceleration), it becomes more positive. If an object has a positive velocity, it would speed up to make the velocity more positive. But if velocity is negative, it would have to slow down to make the velocity more positive.
- If velocity decreases (negative acceleration), it becomes more negative. If an object has a positive velocity, it would slow down to make the velocity more negative. But if velocity is negative, it would have to speed up to make the velocity more negative.