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All 7 Flashcards — Velocity and displacement
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Question
Difference between speed and velocity?
Answer
Speed = how fast (scalar). Velocity = how fast **and which direction** (vector).
Question
Average vs instantaneous velocity?
Answer
**Average** = displacement ÷ total time (over the whole trip). **Instantaneous** = the velocity at one moment — the speedometer reading right now (exams call it the 'rate of change of position').
Question
Difference between distance and displacement?
Answer
Distance = total path travelled (scalar). Displacement = straight line start→finish, with direction (vector).
Question
Is displacement a vector or scalar?
Answer
A **vector** — it has size and direction.
Question
Formula for velocity?
Answer
$v = \dfrac{\Delta s}{\Delta t}$ — displacement ÷ time.
Question
Units of velocity?
Answer
**m s⁻¹** (metres per second).
Question
Walk 3 m east then 4 m north — distance and displacement?
Answer
Distance = 7 m; displacement = 5 m (straight line).
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Full study notes for Velocity and displacement
Topic 1.1 hub
Kinematics
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