1. What is Displacement?

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object. It is the straight-line distance between the initial and final positions, with direction from start to finish point.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the displacement formula:

Where:

• \( \Delta x \) — Displacement (meters)
• \( x_f \) — Final position (meters)
• \( x_i \) — Initial position (meters)

Explanation: Displacement is calculated by subtracting the initial position from the final position. Unlike distance, displacement considers direction and is the shortest path between two points.

3. Importance of Displacement

Details: Displacement is fundamental in physics for analyzing motion. It's used in kinematics to determine velocity, acceleration, and in solving problems involving motion in one or more dimensions.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both positions in meters. The calculator will determine the change in position (displacement). Positive values indicate movement in the positive direction, negative values indicate the opposite direction.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How is displacement different from distance?
A: Distance is a scalar quantity (magnitude only) representing total path length, while displacement is a vector quantity (magnitude and direction) representing change in position.

Q2: Can displacement be zero when distance isn't?
A: Yes, if an object returns to its starting point, displacement is zero while distance would be the total path length traveled.

Q3: What does negative displacement mean?
A: Negative displacement indicates movement in the direction opposite to your chosen positive reference direction.

Q4: How is displacement used in velocity calculations?
A: Average velocity = displacement / time. The direction of velocity matches the direction of displacement.

Q5: Can displacement be greater than distance?
A: No, displacement magnitude is always less than or equal to distance, as it's the shortest path between points.