Distance is the total path traveled and does not include direction, while displacement includes both distance and direction from the starting point to the end point. Speed is the distance traveled per unit of time and does not include direction, while velocity includes both speed and direction. Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity - either in magnitude or direction. It can be calculated using the equation: Acceleration = Change in Velocity / Time.

2. • Distance vs. Displacement
Distance
 the total path traveled. no direction (scalar)
d=A+B+C+D+E
C
B
D symbol for distance
E
x = resultant
A
R symbol for
displacement
(sometimes y)
Displacement
 from the very beginning to the very end.
includes direction so it is a vector

3. • Speed vs. Velocity
Speed (v)  distance divided by time (no direction, scalar)
Velocity (v)  displacement divided by time (vector)
equation measured in
x meters m
v= = =
t second s

4. Heather and Matt walk with an average
velocity of 0.98 m/s eastward. If it takes
them 34 min to walk to the store, what is
their displacement?
Step 1: Draw a picture.
Step 2: Write out givens.
Givens:
v = 0.98 m/s 60 s
t = 34 min x = 2040 s
1min
Step 3: Convert units if necessary
Step 4: Write out equation. x = v t
Step 5: Substitute. x = (0.98)(2040)
Step 6: Solve.
x = 2000 m

5. • Some key points:
• Remember: Velocity
includes magnitude and
direction
• In one dimension,
speed and velocity are
calculated the same way.

6. • Acceleration
 change in velocity
How fast you change how fast you’re going
can change two ways: either change the symbol is “a”
magnitude or the direction.
unit is m/s2
Acceleration can be found as follows:
a = vf– vi / t 5 total variables
This equation says that
Acceleration = final velocity – initial velocity x – displacement
divided by
time
vi – initial velocity
vf – final velocity
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/k
inema/avd.cfm a – acceleration
t – time

7. A sailboat starts from 0 m/s (rest) and
accelerates at a rate of 0.21 m/s2 for 3
seconds.
a. find the magnitude of
the boat’s final velocity

8. • More key points:
• Acceleration and velocity are NOT,
NEVER HAVE BEEN, and NEVER WILL BE,
the same thing.
• http://www.physicsclassroom.com/mmedia/ki
nema/acceln.cfm
• Acceleration is the rate of
CHANGE in velocity.
• So, velocity is a rate; a change in distance over
time.
• Acceleration is a rate; a change in velocity
• over time. Speeding up, slowing down, turning