How is the distance in physics indicated? Interesting examples

The topic is dedicated to those students who have physics only the first year. Here we will talk not only about how the distance in physics is indicated, but also about other interesting things. Let this subject be interesting in all sections and topics.

What is distance?

In physics, each physical quantity has its own symbol (denoted either in Latin or Greek). All this is done to make it easier and not to be confused. Agree, you can be tortured when writing in a notebook about such a phrase: distance = speed x time. And in physics there are very, very many different formulas with many parameters. And there are both square and cubic values. So which letter denotes the distance in physics? Immediately specify that there are two types of designations, since distance and length have the same values and the same units of measurement. So, the "S" is the very designation. Find such a letter in the problems or formulas from the "Mechanics" section.

Believe me, there is nothing difficult in solving problems. But provided that you know the math and have time for it. You will need knowledge on operations with fractions, the ability to count, open parentheses, solve equations. Without such skills in physics it will be very difficult.

Examples from life

What is the distance? As the distance in physics is indicated, we have already understood. Now let's look at the concept.

Imagine that you are now standing near your house. Your task is to get to school. The road is straight all the time. Walk on the force for about two minutes. From the door of the entrance to the school doors 200 meters. This is the distance. What will be the description of your walk from home to school?

S = 200 m.

Why did not we write "meters" and only limited ourselves to a letter? Because such is the abbreviated letter designation. A little later we will get acquainted with other parameters that are related to the distance.

And now imagine that the path from the house to the store is tortuous. If you look at the map of your area, you will see that the distance from the house to the store is the same as before the school. But why is the path so long? Because the road is not straight. We have to go to the traffic lights, go around a huge apartment building and only you already get to the store. In this case, the actual distance will be much greater. In geometry and physics, this means a "curved path". A straight line is just a clean distance, as if you are walking through the wall of a large house. You can also give an example and a man who goes to work.

What is the distance related to?

The concept of "distance" can not exist in itself, it must play some role. For example, you are riding a bicycle to school, and do not go on foot, because you are late. As we said earlier, our way to school is direct. You can safely ride along the sidewalk. Naturally, if you move on foot, it will take longer than making the way on the bike. What is the matter here? Speech, of course, is about the speed with which you move. Later we will see formulas that will prompt how to find the distance. Physics is a science in which it is necessary to calculate something. Agree, I wonder, how fast are you riding a bicycle? If you know exactly the distance to the school and the time of travel, you will find speed.

So, we have two more parameters:

T is the time,

V is the speed.

Everything will be much more interesting if you learn how to work with formulas and find the unknown with fractions. We recall only the rule from mathematics: everything that is next to the unknown goes to the denominator (that is, down the fraction). For example, the distance formula (physics) is a product of time and speed. And in other cases - fractions. Look at the picture, which shows how to find the distance, speed and time. Be sure to practice and understand how to get such formulas. Everything follows only from the laws of mathematics, there is nothing invented in these formulas. Let's practice (do not spy): which letter denotes the distance in physics?

In what are measured?

Let's hope that you remember the designation of the basic quantities, their designations. It's time to study the units of measurement. Here, too, will have to train memory, remember. It is important to know, not only how the distance in physics is designated, but also time, speed. But this is only a small topic. Further it will be more difficult. Let's start:

S - distance - meter, kilometer [m], [km];

V - speed - meters per second, kilometers per hour [m / s], [km / h] (in the case of cosmic speeds , kilometer per second can be applied;

T - time - second, minute, hour [s], [min], [h].

Notice how speed is indicated. That's right, shot. Now imagine this: S / t = m / s or S / t = km / h. That's where the fractions came from. In the system of international SI units these parameters have the values meter, second, meter per second.

We figured out how the distance in physics is indicated, we examined time and speed, which are inextricably linked with it.