Physics
Motion
Distance
→ Total path covered
→ No direction needed
→ Always positive
Displacement
→ Shortest straight-line path from start to end
→ Has direction
→ Can be zero (if you come back to start)
Example:
You walk 10m forward and 10m back
→ Distance = 20m
→ Displacement = 0m
Speed
→ Distance per time
→ No direction (scalar)
→ Always positive
Velocity
→ Displacement per time
→ Has direction (vector)
→ Can be negative
Example:
Car moving North at 20 m/s
→ Speed = 20 m/s
→ Velocity = 20 m/s North
Acceleration
Change in velocity per second
→ Formula:
Acceleration = (Final velocity − Initial velocity) / Time
Speed increasing → acceleration
Speed decreasing → retardation (negative acceleration)
Motion
Distance
→ Total path covered
→ No direction needed
→ Always positive
Displacement
→ Shortest straight-line path from start to end
→ Has direction
→ Can be zero (if you come back to start)
Example:
You walk 10m forward and 10m back
→ Distance = 20m
→ Displacement = 0m
Speed
→ Distance per time
→ No direction (scalar)
→ Always positive
Velocity
→ Displacement per time
→ Has direction (vector)
→ Can be negative
Example:
Car moving North at 20 m/s
→ Speed = 20 m/s
→ Velocity = 20 m/s North
Acceleration
Change in velocity per second
→ Formula:
Acceleration = (Final velocity − Initial velocity) / Time
Speed increasing → acceleration
Speed decreasing → retardation (negative acceleration)
