Effect of Direction

In class, we had a VERY long, in depth conversation about the effect that direction has on measurements. 

1) Distance & Position

• distance - measurement of total length traveled
• position - displacement from reference point in a certain direction
• displacement - length between starting point and ending point

Unlike distance, position is effected by direction. Distance is also the total length traveled that includes if one travels backward.

Ex) a cyclist rides his bike for four miles, rides back one mile, and then turns back around and continues in the original direction for three miles.

Distance = 4 + 1 + 3 = 8

Position = 4 - 1 +3 = 6

*Distance and displacement are also measured starting at the starting point; while, position always refers to the reference point.

2) Speed & Velocity

• speed - distance/time
• velocity - position(distance+direction)/time

*Speed is the slope of a distance vs. time graph; while velocity is the slope of a position vs. time graph.

Also, the formula for position is...

x    =    v    •    t  ±  x₀

^position ^velocity ^time ^starting position