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 of an object, along with the direction from the starting point to the ending point.

2. Displacement Formula

The displacement is calculated using the simple formula:

Where:

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

Key Points: Displacement has both magnitude and direction. A positive value indicates movement in the positive direction, while a negative value indicates movement in the opposite direction.

3. Difference Between Distance and Displacement

Distance is a scalar quantity representing how much ground an object has covered during its motion, while displacement is a vector quantity representing how far out of place an object is (the object's overall change in position).

4. Using the Calculator

Instructions: Enter the initial and final positions in meters. The calculator will compute the displacement (final position minus initial position).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Can displacement be zero when distance is not zero?
A: Yes, if an object returns to its starting point, the displacement is zero while the distance would be the total path length traveled.

Q2: What's the difference between positive and negative displacement?
A: Positive displacement indicates movement in the positive direction (usually right or up), while negative indicates movement in the opposite direction.

Q3: Is displacement always less than or equal to distance?
A: Yes, displacement is the shortest distance between two points, while distance is the actual path length traveled.

Q4: How is displacement represented graphically?
A: On a position-time graph, displacement is the vertical difference between two points.

Q5: What units are used for displacement?
A: The SI unit is meters (m), though any unit of length can be used (cm, km, miles, etc.).