Displacement

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the overall change in position of an object. It is different from distance, which is a scalar quantity representing the total path traveled by an object. Displacement takes into account the initial and final positions of an object, as well as the direction of the movement.

Calculating Displacement

Displacement can be calculated using the following formula:

center;">Displacement (Δx) = Final Position - Initial Position

Units of Displacement

The standard unit for displacement is the meter (m) in the International System of Units (SI).

Example

For example, if an object moves from position A (3 meters to the right of the origin) to position B (5 meters to the left of the origin), the displacement can be calculated as:

center;">Displacement (Δx) = 5m - 3m = -2m

So, the displacement in this case is -2 meters, indicating that the object has moved 2 meters to the left from its initial position.

Study Guide

To understand displacement better, consider the following key points:

1. Understand the difference between displacement and distance.
2. Practice calculating displacement using the formula Δx = Final Position - Initial Position.
3. Be familiar with working in one and two dimensions, as displacement can be calculated in both scenarios.
4. Pay attention to the direction of displacement, as it is a vector quantity and includes both magnitude and direction.

Remember to always consider the direction of motion when calculating displacement and interpreting the results!