AP Physics C/Motion in One Dimension

Scalars vs. Vectors Scalars measurements that have no direction to them Examples: Distance, speed Vectors measurements that have a direction to them Examples: displacement, velocity Displacement vs. Distance Displacement - the most direct route from one point to another. (The net distance traveled) Distance- the length traveled Example Problem: If a car travels 3m directly east then 5m directly west, what is the displacement and what is the distance traveled? Displacement: if a car goes 3m east, and then it goes 5m opposite of east, the car will travel enough to cancel out the 3m east traveled, and go an extra 2m after that. This is best represented in an equation: If east is positive: =3m (east) + 5m (opp. east) =3m (east) + (-5)m east = -2m east = 2m west Displacement is often represented by the variable s, or x. Velocity vs. Speed Speed- change in distance over change in time Velocity- the change in displacement divided by the change in time. It is also defined as the derivative of the displacement equation. Velocity is a vector.