Question

Sample response: The displacements are not equal. While their direction is the same, their length (i.e., distance or magnitude) is not. A is longer than B. What did you include in your response? Check all that apply.

A. The displacements are not equal.
B. The direction is the same.
C. The length is not the same.
D. None of the above.

Answer 1

Distance is a scalar quantity representing the length of the path traveled, while displacement is a vector quantity representing the change in position. Distance has magnitude but no direction, whereas displacement has both magnitude and direction. The distance traveled can be greater than the magnitude of the displacement.

Step-by-step explanation:

Distance and displacement are two related but different concepts in physics. Distance is a scalar quantity that represents the length of the path traveled between two positions, while displacement is a vector quantity that represents the change in position from the starting point to the ending point, including both magnitude and direction.

Distance has magnitude but no direction, whereas displacement has both magnitude and direction. For example, if you walk 10 meters to the east and then walk 5 meters to the west, your distance traveled will be 15 meters, but your displacement will be 5 meters to the east.

It's important to note that the distance traveled can be greater than the magnitude of the displacement, as it accounts for the total length of the path taken, while displacement only focuses on the change in position.