Position, Distance & Displacement: Which are Vectors?

[golden_acorn]

Homework Statement

The quantities that describe location or its change are position, distance, and displacement. Which are vectors?

A.distance
B.none of these
C.displacement
D.position

 

[LowlyPion]

Homework Statement

The quantities that describe location or its change are position, distance, and displacement. Which are vectors?

A.distance
B.none of these
C.displacement
D.position

Welcome to PF.

What are your thoughts on what vectors would be?

 

[golden_acorn]

Thanks. You see, that is precisely what I am confused about...If anyone can kind of help me understand what vectors are, that would be awesome...I have a test coming up soon, so I'm in Pre-AP Physics, and we just started with this stuff, and we are required to be enrolled in Adv Pre-Calc/Trig(hope that helps on how much I know).

 

[LowlyPion]

Thanks. You see, that is precisely what I am confused about...If anyone can kind of help me understand what vectors are, that would be awesome...I have a test coming up soon, so I'm in Pre-AP Physics, and we just started with this stuff, and we are required to be enrolled in Adv Pre-Calc/Trig(hope that helps on how much I know).

OK. Then let me suggest this treatment at the link below as a place to start.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vector_(spatial )

Keeping in mind that a vector associates both a direction and a magnitude, then which of the terms in your question might contain both of those properties?

 

[golden_acorn]

alright, thanks for the article. So it would be displacement and position? Still trying to get the hang of this

 

[LowlyPion]

alright, thanks for the article. So it would be displacement and position? Still trying to get the hang of this

Can you take a moment to describe why you think both of those embody the 2 properties of direction and magnitude?

 

[golden_acorn]

Well, displacement is a vector, and it's the distance between the start and the finish position of a path, and position is also part of a vector. uh...I hope this is somewhat there? haha.

 

[LowlyPion]

... and position is also part of a vector.

Part?

If you find a bow, have you found a bow and arrow or just a bow?

 

[LowlyPion]

Well, displacement is a vector, and it's the distance between the start and the finish position of a path,...

That is correct I forgot to mention. The displacement embodies both a direction of displacement AND a magnitude.

If you displace yourself 1 mile to the Northwest, that can be expressed as a vector. A magnitude and a direction. But for the purposes of the question the position of your house for instance is not a vector unless it gets moved.

 

[golden_acorn]

ok. I understand. Thank you!