Distance vs. Displacement - Directions

How it Works:

Using the Distance vs. Displacement Concept Builder is quite simple. You will be presented with a verbal description of a two-segment, three-segment, or four-segment motion and asked to determine the distance and the magnitude and direction of the displacement. The numerical answers can be entered into the blanks. The direction of the displacement can be identified by simply tapping on the direction field to toggle between East and West or between North and South. Once you think you have entered the correct numerical answers and the proper direction, tap on the Check Answer button. Your answer will be evaluated and your Progress Report will be updated. Your goal is to earn "Stars" and to complete one or more levels of difficulty. Stars are earned when you show success on a particular situation. Once you show success on each of three situations at a particular difficulty level, you will earn the reward for that level.

 

 

Earning Stars

When you start up any of the levels of difficulty, the number of situations for that level are shown in the Progress Report area of the Concept Builder. You will notice that there is either a Yellow or a Red background for each question number. When starting up a difficulty level, the background color is Yellow. Answering a "Yellow" question correctly earns you a star for that question number. However, answering it incorrectly turns the background color to Red. A question number with a Red background must be correctly answered twice (without a miss) in order to earn a star. 

 

Getting Help

You will notice that there is a Help Me button underneath the Progress Report. You should learn to use this feature of the program. It's how you can turn an exercise in answering questions into an exercise in learning. Tapping on the Help Me button will open a page with help that is specific to each question. Of course, the Help pages are only helpful if you read them. So take the time to read them. Each Help page contains four sections: a discussion of the The Basic Concepts, a display of the Question your are facing (or a similar question with different numbers), a section titled "How to Think About This Situation", and a set of links to resources in our Tutorial section. You should pay attention to the section titled How to Think About This Situation. You will find what you need to know in the three or four paragraphs of this section. You will also become a better Physics student for doing that. That is, after all, the goal of such an activity as Distance vs. Displacement.
 
 

Thanks for being patient with the Directions. Happy learning!