Lesson
Linear Kinematic Quantities
Distance vs Displacement:
Distance has only magnitude
Displacement is a ‘vector’ quantity with both magnitude and direction
Speed vs Velocity:
Speed has only magnitude
Velocity is a ‘vector’ quantity with both magnitude and direction *
Speed (a scalar quantity) involves distance covered divided by time taken
Velocity (a vector) involves a ‘change in position’ aka ‘displacement’ over a
given period of time
Acceleration:
Acceleration is a ‘vector’ quantity with both magnitude and direction *
Acceleration is the rate of change in (linear) velocity
Direction
Upwards and to the Right are POSITIVE directions*
Downwards and to the Left are NEGATIVE directions*
Acceleration can be positive, negative or zero based on direction of motion AND direction of change of velocity (slowing down/speeding up/constant)