Science Review Sheet

Distance and Displacement

Motion is described as a continuous change in the position of a body relative to a reference point, as
measured by a particular observer in a particular frame of point. Distance and Displacement are both used
to describe if an object has moved. It is a scalar quantity – only has magnitude or size. EX: time, mass,
temperature. Displacement is the straight-line distance between the initial and final position. And it is a
vector quantity – both magnitude and direction. EX: acceleration, force, momentum

Distance
The total or complete path traveled by an object,
represented by a symbol d
It is a scalar quantity.
It is always positive, cannot be negative, and zero.
It can never be less than the displacement value.
It does not decrease with time.
Give complete information on the route followed
by the body.
Displacement
The shortest path from the starting position to the
final position is represented by a symbol d with an
arrow above (arrow indicated direction)
It is a vector quantity.
It can be positive, negative, or zero depending on
the initial and final position of the object.
It Cn either be equal to or less than the distance
value.
It decreases with time.
Does not give complete information of the route
followed by the body.

FORMULA/S:
To solve for the total distance (d low t), you will simply add the individual distances.
dt = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4
To solve for the total displacement ( d low t w/ arrowhead) consider the direction from the initial position
point A to the final position point A.
dt = d1 + d2 + d3 + d4
= Ex: 3m, North + 5m, East + 3m, South + 5m, East

Speed and Velocity

Speed is a scalar quantity (has only magnitude). Speed is defined as how fast an object is moving. It can
also be thought of as the rate at which an object covers distance. It is operationally defined as distance
over time.
Velocity is the rate at which an object changes its position. Velocity is a vector quantity (both magnitude
and direction)
Calculating Speed and Velocity
FORMULA/S:
v – speed
d – distance
t – time
v (with arrowhead) – velocity
d (with arrowhead) – displacement

v = d/t (distance over time)

v (with arrowhead) = displacement over time

Defining Acceleration and Describing Motion

Acceleration is a vector quantity that is defined as the rate at which an object changes its velocity. An
object is accelerating if it is changing its velocity. VELOCITY CHANGES – ACCELERATION EXISTS
If there is a change in the speed or direction of an object in motion, there is a change in velocity.
TYPES OF ACCELERATION:
A. Positive Acceleration – when an object in motion is increasing its velocity with time. EX: 50
km/hr – 70 km/hr
B. Negative Acceleration (Deceleration) – reduces velocity with time or when an object is slowing
down. EX: 50 km/hr – 30 km/hr

Acceleration
Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity with time. Acceleration = change in
velocity/change in time
In symbols:
Position – Time Graph for Constant Speed

Waves
Vibration – a repeated motion produced by a back and forth or up and down movement of an object and is
the source of all waves and travels through waves.
Wave – a traveling disturbance that carries energy from one place to another with or without a medium
Medium – a substance/material that carries the wave (solid, liquid, gas)
No disturbance / not moving – equilibrium/rest position.
TYPES OF WAVES:
Mechanical wave – requires a medium to propagate. EX: sound waves, water waves
Electromagnetic wave – does not require a medium but can also travel through a medium

Transverse wave – in which particles of the medium move in the direction perpendicular to the direction
in the wave moves.
Longitudinal wave – in which particles of the medium in a direction parallel to the direction the wave
moves.
Surface wave – in which particles of the medium undergo a circular motion.

Frequency – number of waves passing through a given point in one second.

Period – the time taken.
Amplitude – the measure of the energy the wave carries.
Wave speed – frequency x wavelength

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