Linear motion is the movement of an object in a straight line. It is a fundamental concept in physics and can be described using various properties such as distance, displacement, speed, and velocity.
Key Concepts
Distance: The total length of the path traveled by an object. It is a scalar quantity and is always positive.
Displacement: The change in position of an object. It is a vector quantity and can be positive, negative, or zero.
Speed: The rate at which an object covers distance. It is a scalar quantity and is always positive.
Velocity: The rate at which an object changes its displacement. It is a vector quantity and can be positive, negative, or zero.
Study Guide
When studying linear motion, it's important to understand the differences between distance and displacement, as well as speed and velocity. Here are some key points to focus on:
Define distance and displacement, and give examples to illustrate the concept.
Calculate the displacement of an object given its initial and final positions.
Discuss the differences between speed and velocity, and provide real-world examples of each.