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The distance the train travels between A and B is not the same as the displacement of the train - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 8 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 8
The distance the train travels between A and B is not the same as the displacement of the train. What is the difference between distance and displacement? Use Figu... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The distance the train travels between A and B is not the same as the displacement of the train - AQA - GCSE Physics - Question 8 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
What is the difference between distance and displacement?
Answer
Distance is a scalar quantity, meaning it has only magnitude. It represents the total length of the path traveled, regardless of direction. In contrast, displacement is a vector quantity, which includes both magnitude and direction. It measures the shortest distance from the initial to the final position, along with the direction of that line.
Step 2
Step 3
Explain how this can happen.
Answer
The train can accelerate without changing speed in situations where it changes direction while maintaining constant speed. This occurs during circular motion, where an object moves at a constant speed along a curved path, thus undergoing acceleration due to the change in direction of its velocity vector.
Step 4
Estimate the distance travelled by the train along the section of the journey shown in Figure 15.
Answer
Distance = 8500 m. To calculate, count the number of squares below the line—let's say it is 17. Each square represents 500 m, so the distance is calculated as follows:
Distance = Number of squares x Length of each square = 17 x 500 m = 8500 m.