Distance vs. Displacement
The Distance vs. Displacement Video Tutorial explains the meaning of distance and displacement and describes the distinction between the two quantities. Numerous examples, illustrations, and animations assist in the explanations.
The video lesson answers the following questions:
- What is distance?
- What is displacement?
- How is distance different than displacement?
- How do you determine the distance and the displacement for any given motion?
Video
You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).
To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:
Additional and Related Learning Tools
Physics Interactives - Vector Walk
Like all our Interactive simulations, this Vector Walk simulation will give you an interactive experience that targets the distinction between distance and displacement.
Distance vs. Displacement Concept Builder
Students love Concept Builders and this one on Distance vs. Displacement will give you plenty of practice with those troubling Back-and-Forth problems.
Minds on Physics App#1: Mission KC2 of Kinematic Concepts Module
If you're serious about learning Physics, our Minds On Phyiscs apps may quench your thirst. Master any concept using this interactive questioning module available as an app on mobile devices. Having difficulties? Then tap the textbook and get question-specific help.
Tutorial on Distance vs. Displacement
If you need a quick reference, the Tutorial section of our website can deliver. Visit the 1D Kinematics Chapter and see the page on Distance vs. Displacement in Lesson 1.
Teacher Resources
Curriculum Corner; Describing Motion Verbally with Distance and Displacement
Our Curriculum Corner section is full of Think Sheets that focus student attention on single concepts and use a developmental approach to help build meaning regarding that concept. Whether using them as group work, homework, or Individual seat work, you will find a Think Sheet that targets the concept you're interested in ... like this on on distance and displacement.
Teacher Toolkit: Position-Velocity-Acceleration
We put one of the best Physics Librarian on the task of finding the best standards-based, multimedia driven resources on the web and the result was a collection of Teacher Toolkits that makes great stuff easy to find. Try one out today and start with this one on concepts associated with position, velocity, and acceleration.
Physics Interactives - Vector Walk
For a quick simulated experience, try our Vector Walk simulation. A situation is randomly selected and students must analyze the back-and-forth motion of a skier, a car, or a shopper in order to find the distance and displacement. Good stuff! And there's many more like this one in our Physics Interactives section.
Distance vs. Displacement Concept Builder
Students love Concept Builders and this one on Distance vs. Displacement will give students plenty of practice with those troubling Back-and-Forth problems. There are three levels of difficulty, randomly selected questions from a large bank of questions, built-in help, and opportuniies for remediation.
Minds on Physics App#1: Mission KC1 of Kinematic Concepts Module
For serious students of Physics, our Minds On Phyiscs apps will not disappoint. The program delivers carefully crafted questions that target single concepts in Physics and continues to deliver the questions until students demonstrate mastery.
Tutorial on Distance vs. Displacement
If your students need a quick reference, the Tutorial section of our website can deliver. Visit the 1D Kinematics Chapter and see the page on Distance vs. Displacement in Lesson 1.
Lesson Notes
Download (opens in a new tab) or view below
Slides
Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.