Motion on a Plane (HSC SSCE Physics): Flashcards

Scalar quantity measuring total path length travelled

Vector with magnitude & direction from start to finish position

Distance depends on path taken; displacement only on start/end points

$\vec{s} = \vec{d_f} - \vec{d_i}$

Position measured from origin; displacement can start anywhere

Draw 1st vector, place tail of 2nd at head of 1st, draw resultant

Draw both vectors from same point; resultant is diagonal

Add the negative: $\vec{A} - \vec{B} = \vec{A} + (-\vec{B})$

$s = \sqrt{s_x^2 + s_y^2}$ (Pythagoras' theorem)

$\tan\theta = \frac{s_y}{s_x}$