Lesson 5.01 Distance and Displacement

Finding Distance and Displacement

In this first Try It, you will complete the distance and displacement practice problems in your notebook. Find the distance and displacement for each scenario below. It may be helpful to draw a diagram of each. Be sure to identify the given values, show your work, and include the correct units. To review the answers for each problem, progress to the next tab.

Problem 1:

Jonathan is on a fishing trip.

• At first, he rides in a boat 12 km east.
• The fish aren't biting so he travels 4 km west in his boat.

Determine the following:

• What distance has Jonathan covered?
• What was his displacement?

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Problem 1:

On his fishing trip Jonathan rides in a boat 12 km east. The fish aren't biting so he travels 4 km west in his boat. What distance has Jonathan covered? What was his displacement?

Problem 1 Answer:

1. Identify the given values for distance:

   d₁ = 12 km

   d₂ = 4 km



2. Calculate distance:

   d_T = d₁ + d₂

   d_T = 12 km + 4 km

   d_T = 16 km



3. Identify the given values for displacement:

   x_i = 12 km E

   x_f = 4 km W



4. Calculate displacement:

   Δx = x_f - x_i

   Δx = 4 km W - 12 km E

   dx = 8 km E

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Problem 2:

Jennifer goes on a safari in Africa.

• At first, she travels 3 km west.
• After taking some pictures of the animals she encounters, she turns around and travels 5 km east.

Determine the following:

• What distance has Jennifer covered?
• What was her displacement?

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Problem 2:

Jennifer goes on a safari in Africa. She travels 3 km west. After taking some pictures of the animals she encounters, she turns around and travels 5 km east. What distance did Jennifer cover? What was her displacement?

Problem 2 Answer:

1. Identify the given values for distance:

   d₁ = 3 km

   d₂ = 5 km



2. Calculate distance:

   d_T = d₁ + d₂

   d_T = 3 km + 5 km

   d_T = 8 km



3. Identify the given values for displacement:

   x_i = 3 km W

   x_f = 5 km E



4. Calculate displacement:

   Δx = x_f - x_i

   Δx = 5 km E - 3 km W

   dx = 2 km E

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Problem 3:

Skyler buys a new moped.

• First, he travels 3 km south.
• Then, he travels 6 km north.

Determine the following:

• What distance has Skyler covered?
• What was his displacement?

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Problem 3:

Skyler buys a new moped. He travels 3 km south and then 6 km north. What distance did Skyler cover? What was his displacement?

Problem 3 Answer:

1. Identify the given values for distance:

   d₁ = 3 km

   d₂ = 6 km



2. Calculate distance:

   d_T = d₁ + d₂

   d_T = 3 km + 6 km

   d_T = 9 km



3. Identify the given values for displacement:

   x_i = 3 km S

   x_f = 6 km N



4. Calculate displacement:

   Δx = x_f - x_i

   Δx = 6 km N - 3 km S

   dx = 3 km N

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Vectors

Open the Vector Walk interactive from The Physics Classroom.

• Click the Launch button (light blue double-arrow button in the top left of the small interactive) to expand activity to full-screen.
• Complete all 3 scenarios.

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