College Physics II – Mechanics, Sound, Oscillations, and Waves
Definition
Distance traveled is the total length of the path taken by an object in motion, regardless of direction. It is a scalar quantity and measures how much ground an object has covered during its motion.
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Distance traveled is always a positive value or zero; it cannot be negative.
Unlike displacement, distance does not have a direction associated with it.
The SI unit for distance traveled is meters (m).
Distance traveled can be different from displacement if the object's path is not straight.
In equations of motion, distance can be calculated using various kinematic formulas depending on the given variables.
Review Questions
What is the key difference between distance traveled and displacement?
How would you calculate the distance traveled if given a non-linear path?
Why can distance traveled never be negative?
Related terms
Displacement: Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object, taking into account direction.
Average Velocity: $$\text{Average velocity} = \frac{\text{displacement}}{\text{time}}$$. It indicates how fast an object’s position changes over time and includes direction.
Position: Position refers to the location of an object at a particular point in time relative to a reference point.