Distance and displacement — KCSE Physics

KCSE Physics · 112 practice questions · 4 syllabus objectives

37 easy37 medium38 hard

What You'll Learn

Key learning outcomes for this topic, aligned to the KNEC KCSE syllabus.

Distinguish between scalar and vector quantities, and between distance (scalar) and displacement (vector)

Use vector diagrams to determine resultant displacement for motion in two dimensions

Interpret distance-time graphs to determine displacement and describe the motion of an object

Distance and displacement

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easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

Define displacement in the context of an object's motion. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance from the initial position to the final position of the object (1 mk)

Displacement includes direction, making it a vector quantity (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

State two characteristics of a vector quantity using displacement as an example. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

A vector quantity has both magnitude and direction (1 mk)

Displacement can be represented graphically with an arrow indicating direction and length for magnitude (1 mk)

easySHORT ANSWER2 marks

State the difference between distance and displacement. (2 marks)

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Part (a) — 2 marks

Distance is the total length of the path travelled (scalar quantity) (1 mk)

Displacement is the shortest straight-line distance from the starting point to the final point in a specified direction (vector quantity) (1 mk)

Define distance and displacement, and explain how they differ. (4 marks)

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