IB Physics SL A.1.4 Distance and Displacement

Practise distinguishing scalar path length from vector displacement and assigning direction or sign when a journey is reversed, returns to its start or follows multiple segments.

Exam points

calculate total distance by adding path lengths while finding displacement from final minus initial position
reverse a journey without changing its distance, but reverse the direction or sign of its displacement

[Maximum number: 1]

The road from city X to city Y is 1000 km long. The displacement is 800 km from X to Y.

Figure for Question A.1.4—Distance and displacement question 1 — IB Physics SL

What is the distance travelled from Y to X and the displacement from Y to X ?

Distance travelled

from Y to X / km

Displacement from

Y to X / km

800

1000

800

-800

1000

-800

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A.1.4—Distance and displacement question 1