answersLogoWhite

0

Can distance be negative in physics?

Updated: 5/23/2024
User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago

Best Answer

No. Distance is never negative, and total distance travelled doesn't decrease during a trip. The distance from A to B is the same as the distance from B to A.

Displacement, on the other hand, can be negative, and can decrease during a trip. The displacement from A to B is the same magnitude, but opposite sign, as the displacement from B to A.

An example would be if you went from your home to a friend's house 1 mile to the east. After you reach your friend's house, you have travelled a distance of 1 mile and your displacement from your starting position is 1 mile. When you come back home from your friends house, you travel a distance of 1 more mile. Your total distance travelled is now 2 miles, but your displacement from your starting location is zero (because you are back where you started.)

Distance does not have direction, and is always positive (or zero).

Displacement has direction, and can be negative, positive, or zero.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar
More answers
User Avatar

AnswerBot

1mo ago

In physics, distance is a scalar quantity that represents the absolute value of the length between two points. It is always positive or zero because it only denotes the magnitude of separation. Negative distances are not used in physics.

This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Can distance be negative in physics?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Physics

What is absolute value in physics?

In physics, absolute value refers to the magnitude of a physical quantity without considering its direction. It essentially gives the distance of the quantity from zero on a number line, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. This is often used when dealing with concepts like distance, speed, or charge.


Can instantaneous speed be negative?

No, instantaneous speed cannot be negative. Speed is a scalar quantity and is always positive or zero. Negative values can be associated with velocity, which is a vector quantity and can be negative if an object changes direction.


What does displace mean in physics?

In physics, "displace" means to move an object from one position to another. It is a vector quantity that describes the change in position of an object, usually measured in terms of distance and direction. The displacement of an object can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of the movement.


Can distance and displacement be negative?

Yes, distance and displacement can be negative. Negative distance occurs when an object moves in the opposite direction from the reference point, while negative displacement indicates a change in position in the opposite direction of the reference point.


What is power in physics can it be negative?

In physics, power is the rate at which work is done or energy is transferred. Power can be negative if work is done in the opposite direction of the force applied, leading to a decrease in energy or the transfer of energy in the opposite direction.

Related questions

What is absolute value in physics?

In physics, absolute value refers to the magnitude of a physical quantity without considering its direction. It essentially gives the distance of the quantity from zero on a number line, regardless of whether it is positive or negative. This is often used when dealing with concepts like distance, speed, or charge.


Can work positive or Negative in physics how?

Yes Work can be positive or Negative.


What is work in physics?

in physics work work=force *distance the distance covered by body by any force is called work.


How do you find distance in physics?

You measure it.


What is force x distance?

In physics, work = force x distance.


Can instantaneous speed be negative?

No, instantaneous speed cannot be negative. Speed is a scalar quantity and is always positive or zero. Negative values can be associated with velocity, which is a vector quantity and can be negative if an object changes direction.


In physics work is defined as?

Force times distance


Why can't an absolute value be a negative number?

No, think of absolute value as distance and you can't have a negative distance.


What does displace mean in physics?

In physics, "displace" means to move an object from one position to another. It is a vector quantity that describes the change in position of an object, usually measured in terms of distance and direction. The displacement of an object can be positive, negative, or zero depending on the direction of the movement.


Is product of force times distance?

Force times distance is called "Work" for the purposes of physics.


Can distance and displacement be negative?

Yes, distance and displacement can be negative. Negative distance occurs when an object moves in the opposite direction from the reference point, while negative displacement indicates a change in position in the opposite direction of the reference point.


How will you express distance?

in math d, int physics s