Motion in a Straight Line — Flashcards

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Distance is the total path length covered by an object during motion. It has only magnitude and no direction, so it is a scalar quantity.

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Displacement is the shortest distance between initial and final positions of an object, with direction. Unlike distance (scalar), displacement is a vector quantity. For example, going 10 m east and re…

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Total distance = 60 m + 40 m = 100 m. Displacement = 60 m (east) – 40 m (west) = +20 m (east). So, distance = 100 m, displacement = 20 m east.

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Average speed = Total distance / Total time (scalar). Average velocity = Displacement / Time (vector). If direction changes, average speed > magnitude of average velocity.

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Total distance = 120 + 60 = 180 m Total time = 3 + 2 = 5 s Average speed = 180 / 5 = 36 m/s Displacement = 120 – 60 = 60 m Average velocity = 60 / 5 = 12 m/s…

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When the object moves in a straight line without changing direction. In such cases, distance = magnitude of displacement.

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Instantaneous velocity is the velocity of an object at a particular instant of time. It is the limit of average velocity as time interval approaches zero. Mathematically, v = dx/dt.

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Relative velocity of B with respect to A is the rate at which B changes position relative to A. It is given by v_BA = v_B – v_A.