Science: Distance and Displacement

Last updated on August 24, 2021 1 min read Year 10, Science

Distance: the measurement of the length between two points
Displacement: the CHANGE in an object’s position (straight line between start and end points)
NOTE: An object can travel a large distance and still have zero displacement
Distance is SCALAR (e.g. 10km) while Displacement is a VECTOR (e.g. 10km South)
For example: If you run a 5km on a circular course, your distance traveled is 5 kilometers, regardless of where you started and finished.
- However, your displacement is ZERO if you finish where you started.

Distance-Over-Time Graphs

NOTE: in a distance-over-time graph, Distance must ALWAYS be on the Y-Axis, while Time must ALWAYS be on the X-Axis
If the graph is increasing, the object is IN MOTION
If the graph is flat-lining, the object has STOPPED
Distance-over-Time graphs CANNOT DECREASE!!! Only Displacement Graphs can decrease.
Distance-Over-Time graphs must always be above the x-axis.

NOTE: in a distance-over-time graph, Distance must ALWAYS be on the Y-Axis, while Time must ALWAYS be on the X-Axis
If the graph is flat-lining, the object has STOPPED
If the graph is increasing, the object is moving further from the origin
If the graph is decreasing, the object is moving closer to the origin
If the graph intersects the x-axis, the object is at its starting point.